John Benjamin McNamara

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.

Ben, Oh Ben or as i came to call him , Chefy,
May you be resting in peace and without pain. I will always cherish our many long phone conversations in the last few years and remember having dinner with you at one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago. Which, Thankfully , met with your high standards and approval. I feel very fortunate that i was able to hear your laugh , thoughts and musings on the current state of the world and your always kind words of encouragement that got me through many a day and i will dearly , dearly miss them. Sleep well sweet Prince.

WOW,I AM TRULY SORRY TO HEAR THIS! YOU WILL BE MISSED BEN IMMENSELY BY US! R.I.P. BROTHER!

Ben, I am sorry you are no longer with us. I will always remember you fondly. Rest easy, my CFS brother.

Our deepest condolences for your loss.

I worked with Ben at Dickens Inn in the 1980´s and he lived in my house on Rodman Street for a number of years. He was so young and innocent back then. He was honest, lovable, a hard worker and a really great person to be around...funny, generous and truly talented. So sorry he left this earth way too soon. Safe Journey, Ben

So sorry for your loss. May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

So sorry to hear of Bens passing. It seems like yesterday that we were together for another class reunion in August 2021. Ben was one of the regulars and I loved to hear about the evolution of his culinary career. He enjoyed reminiscing about pranks and good times at Chruch Farm School. Ben would always take over the grill for our pool party. The class of 81 will miss him.

Chef's early start days of the new millennium often ended mid-afternoon with a vestibule wave-off - then u-turn - into the Cafe Bar of The Dark Horse, which I was preparing for 4 pm opening. Ben and I were a generation beyond most of the front of the house staff and a few years along past James, Matt and Paul - our old friends, now employers. The Dickens Inn had been heralded globally for its English fare. Ben elevated the menu to well-beyond Irish gastro-pub. As my International traveler guests from the neighborhood trickled into the preserved, intimate Publican entry space, Ben hung out to chat with them about his craft, and life's diversity and experiences common to all. Typically, over half the room was born and raised abroad. Impossible today, eyes fixed upon devices, ignoring those with whom we once shared the craic. You DID have to be there to appreciate the difference, these 20+ years later. This dusk, as then, I will light a candle in memory of the friend who illuminated my life so briefly. Nicholas, Isabelle and Emily, we will never forget your Dad. Carry on in Ben's Glory. Jimbo

I was so sad and shocked to hear of Bens passing last week. Ben and I worked together on and off for many years, and I have many great memories to look back on. Ben was the most gifted all round chefs I ve ever had the pleasure of being around, cool gastro dishes, pies, desserts , he could do it all!! We enjoyed many days and nights hanging out,enjoying the craic, sometimes too much!! Im happy to say through our ups and downs we always stayed in touch and was happy to see him a couple of times recently when he was back in Philly. I ve only got fond memories and gratitude for our time together, so long Chef!! Rest in Peace, James

I met Ben when I was in Belize and he came with my sister and my niece and I to hang out at secret beach one day because we had a cart. We´ve stayed in touch on FB and I just want to say how sorry I am he succumbed to his illness. He was a nice guy and easy to talk to.

As a culinary wanderer, I've traversed countless kitchens and shared the stove with many talented comrades. But amongst them, there's one chef who forever holds a sacred spot in my gastronomic heart - Ben McNamara, or as I affectionately dubbed him, "My Chef." Ben wasn't just my mentor; he was my brother in the wild world of cuisine.

The sheer magnitude of Ben's skill and ardor was unmatched, and I count myself immeasurably fortunate to have soaked up some of his wisdom and guidance. He embodied the quintessence of a chef's chef, infusing every plate he crafted with an unabashed infusion of heart and soul. His unwavering devotion to the process and the sheer delight of his patrons fueled his fire.

I'm aware that some of you fortunate souls had the pleasure of witnessing his culinary wizardry during his brief sojourn with us. It is with profound sorrow that I relay the heart-wrenching news of his untimely departure. May his spirit soar ever higher, forever chasing gustatory nirvana, and may he find eternal tranquility in the great beyond.

Godspeed, Chef.