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Michael McNamee Obituary

Michael L.Mickey" McNamee
August 29, 1939 - January 2, 2014

Coach McNamee, age 74 of Monrovia, passed away peacefully on
January 2. Mickey was born August 29, 1939 to parents Arthur and Nellie. He grew up in Burbank and found his first love playing baseball in the outfields at Olive Recreational Center and at John Burroughs High School where he was named to the all CIF team. He chose to study and play for two years in Coalinga at West Hills Community College before attending USC where he played baseball for his coach and longtime mentor Rod Dedeaux. There, he and his teammates went to two College World Series and won the 1961 national championship. Mickey was a lifelong Trojan supporter and rarely missed a home football game.

After graduation, he began teaching and coaching at San Marino High School. For 44 years, Mickey dedicated himself to improving the school and its athletic programs. He influenced the lives of thousands of students, faculty, and San Marino community members. On most days, you'd find him coaching baseball at McNamee Field where his teams qualified for 30 CIF Southern Section playoffs, won five championships and over 600 games, a total that puts Mickey among the top 20 all-time winningest high school baseball coaches in California.

Mickey taught several subjects in the classroom at San Marino, coached football, served as Athletic Director and district negotiator. Some of his greatest friendships and fondest memories came from the annual class trip he planned with Yosemite Institute. There, he taught students about the outdoors, how to face fear and personal challenges, and gain self-confidence.

His athletic achievements, coaching, and commitment to service have been recognized through countless awards and commendations. He received service awards from City of San Marino, was named coach of the year six times, and was honored by the Baseball Association. This fall, Mickey was inducted into the athletic halls of fame at Burroughs High School and West Hills Community College.

Mickey joins his daughter Trisha, who died in July 1992. He is survived by his wife Lynn, daughter Caryn and her husband Kevin and grandchildren, twins Quinn and Shay from Danville CA, and sister Dale (Riggs) and her family from Burbank CA.

The celebration of Mickey's life will begin at 2pm on Saturday, January 11, 2014 at San Marino Congregational Church, located at 2560 Huntington Drive in San Marino, CA. Services are open to the public. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to groups that were most meaningful to Mickey during his life: Yosemite Institute (http://www.naturebridge.org/yosemite-national-park) and USC Keck School of Medicine (http://www.keckmedicine.org/giving/).

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Pasadena Star-News on Jan. 5, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
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August 29, 2014

I was first a student and next a player for Coach McNamee in 1965.
He truly was an inspiration and mentor for me

Damon Groves

January 15, 2014

Mickey was a mentor to me when I coached at San Marino. When I first arrived we did not know what to say to each other given how close it was to when Trisha passed away but he taught me how to coach and I am forever grateful to him. I now coach volleyball and use his advise regularly. We truly lost one of the good guys. Much love to Lynn, Caryn and the family.

January 11, 2014

Mickey McNamee was a special man who made a difference. May you rest in peace, Coach.
-the Yortsos family

Pat O'Laughlin

January 9, 2014

He was such a classy guy to umpire baseball games for. Every umpire in the San Gabriel Valley should wear black this year in his memory.

Dave Hargrave

January 8, 2014

Mickey was truly one of "The Good Guys." As the Assignor for the San Gabriel Valley Unit of the California Baseball Umpires Association I want to extend our condolances to the MacNamee family. It was always a pleasure working Mickey's gmaes. He will be missed.

January 5, 2014

Deepest sympathy to the McNamee family. It was a privilege to know and work with Mickey. Many, many students will miss him. God Bless you Mickey.

Julie Cashion Porter-Shirley

January 5, 2014

My love to the McNamee family. You have always been so special and remain in my heart. Peace be with you.

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