Howard Joseph Mcnamara

Howard J. McNamara, Jr, age 95, departed this life October 18, 2014, survived by his wife of 66 years, Rebecca (Molesworth) McNamara. He also leaves behind two daughters: Kathleen McNamara Smith and her husband Walter Smith of Fredericksburg, VA and Beth McNamara Wilson and her husband Robert Wilson of Evansville, IN; grandchildren Ryan Smith, Meghan Hughes, Kaitlin Smith, as well as Olivia Acree and Margaret Young. In addition, he is survived by nine great-grandchildren. Born April 7, 1919 in Halethorpe, MD, he spent most of his life in the Baltimore area. Howard graduated from Catonsville High School in 1935 and from Loyola College with a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry in 1939. Not long after that, he enlisted in the Navy, knowing Hitler had to be stopped. After experiencing considerable action on the U.S.S. LST 400 in the Mediterranean, Africa, and Italy, he found himself at the Normandy coast on June 6, 1944 for the D-Day invasion. Following D-Day, he made over 50 trips crossing the English Channel to move men and material, prior to being honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy with the rank of Lieutenant in 1946. Howard's life after the Navy included marriage to Rebecca Molesworth in 1948 and a career as a budget analyst with the state of Maryland and city of Baltimore, from where he retired as the Insurance Manager in 1981. Prior to and following his retirement, he was an active participant in many community organizations including Meals on Wheels, the Catonsville Historical Society, Civitan International, and VFW Post #219. Howard was also a long-time member of Catonsville United Methodist Church. In 2009, Howard and Rebecca moved to Charlestowne retirement community where they found many friends and activities for these last years. He will be remembered for his love of wife and family, his military service during WWII, his passion for history and travel, and his Irish sense of humor.
Relatives and friends are invited to call at Candle Light Funeral Home, 1835 Frederick Road, Catonsville on Thursday, October 23, from 4 to 7 p.m. A burial service will be held on Friday, October 24 at 11 a.m. at Pine Grove Cemetery in Mt. Airy, MD. A memorial service at Catonsville United Methodist Church is scheduled for Saturday, October 25 at 11 a.m.