Joseph McNamara

News Death Notice

MCNAMARA, JOSEPH "BURK" who was born in 1930 on Christmas Day in Pennsylvania and was formerly of Crystal Lake, Illinois and lived the last years of his life in his son's home in Dayton, died Friday, December 24, 2010 at Hospice of Dayton. He was 79. Burk, as he was known to his family and friends, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Lehigh University, a Master of Business Administration degree from Rutgers University, a Certificate of Advanced Studies degree in English Literature from Northern Illinois University and a Jurist Doctorate degree from Loyola University of Chicago. In his youth, Burk was an active and devoted member of the Boys Scouts of America and as a young man he enlisted in the United States Army becoming an Intelligence Decoder. In his adult life, Burk was a lawyer and taught law and business at McHenry City College in Crystal Lake. He was also the President of United Way and the Hospice at Crystal Lake. Burk was a former managing member of MENSA and in his retired years, he volunteered as a remedial driving instructor for seniors. He leaves behind his sons: Paul of New Mexico and Wayne and his wife, Sandy of Dayton; a daughter: Janet McNamara of Texas; a sister: Jane Eck and her husband, Carl of Pennsylvania; 8 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. FUNERAL will begin this Wednesday, 10 AM in Christ the King Anglican Church, 925 North Main St in Dayton. Pastor Wayne McNamara presiding. Burial will follow in the Dayton National Cemetery. VISITATION will be at the church from 9 to 10 AM. that same morning. Arrangements entrusted to HARRIS FUNERAL HOME, 49 Linden Avenue, Dayton 937.253.3129. May his soul rest in peace.