Duncan D. MacNamee

LEBANON, N.H. — Duke MacNamee died June 15 following an eight-year battle with cancer. Defined by his humble brilliance, Duke's many vocations included fighting fires in the Canadian Rockies, serving as owner and executive chef of his gourmet restaurant in Stratton, Vt., practicing law as an attorney in Rochester and Lebanon, N.H., and mastering the craft of fine woodworking, which he practiced throughout the twin states in his final years. Despite his impressive and eclectic professional resume, Duke will be most remembered as an amazing father, devoted husband, loving brother, and thoughtful son.

Duke was born to Mimi McQuiston MacNamee and Hugh MacNamee on March 31, 1951, in Newton, Mass., but the family soon relocated to Naintic, Conn. It was on the shores of Niantic that Duke, roaming the beaches with his three brothers, developed an affinity for the ocean and a skepticism of convention, two things that would remain with him until the end.

In 1969 Duke's father, Hugh, accepted a position as a child psychiatrist at Dartmouth and moved the family to Hanover, NH. Duke would spend the majority of his adult life in the Upper Valley, but it was his freshman year of college on the campus of UNH that he found his most prized possession: a shy girl from North Haverhill, N.H., named Barbara Johnson who would be his best friend and wife for the next 40 years.

After graduating from UNH in 1975 with a degree in philosophy and receiving his JD from Vermont Law School in 1982, Duke moved with Barbara and their 2-year-old son, Scott, to Rochester, N.H. While in Rochester, Duke spent six years practicing law and he and Barbara had their second child, Courtney. It was in 1987 that the family made the move to Lebanon, N.H., where they have lived since.

Duke's many talents and prolific career paths just begin to tell the story of a man whose passions always came second to the wants and desires of his family and friends. Among the many superlatives used described Duke, honest and selfless are mentioned the most.

His happiest moments came in the company of people he loved, enjoying the things he loved: good rock and roll, good food, and good spirits. For those who knew him best, Duke will be forever smiling — gin and tonic in hand — as he effortlessly fills the living room with laughter while the sounds of the Grateful Dead tumble from his favorite turntable.

Duke is survived by his mother, Mimi MacNamee, his wife, Barbara MacNamee, his son, Scott MacNamee, his daughter, Courtney MacNamee, and his three brothers, Dana, Jay, and Bart MacNamee.

Calling hours will be held on Saturday June 19, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Ricker Funeral Home in Lebanon, NH. There will also be a reception on a date to be named later by the family. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the MacNamee Memorial Trust Fund at 14 Pinewood Village, West Lebanon, NH 03784. For 25 years the MacNamee Memorial Trust Fund has sponsored mental health education in the Upper Valley.

Visit www.fosters.com/obits for an online guest book.