Lawrence Robert "Bob" McNally

McNALLY LAWRENCE ROBERT McNALLY "Bob" (Age 85) A former resident of Napa, CA, passed away in Denver, CO on October 28, 2008. Born in Woonsocket, RI, Bob spent his early years in Takoma Park, MD, graduating from Blair High School in 1941. After graduation, he served eight years in the Navy, most of the time in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where as a radio operator during World War II, he tracked German U-boats throughout the Caribbean. Following the war, he enrolled in the University of Maryland, graduating in 1953 with a degree in Journalism. He then began a 33-year career with the Bell System, working at the Western Electric Baltimore Plant, and eventually transferring to Sunnyvale, CA, where he worked as public relations manager until retiring in 1986. During his career at Western Electric, Mr. McNally received two Pulitzer Prize nominations for journalism in the 1970's. He scored a public relations coup when he persuaded Ronald Reagan to visit Western Electric's Sunnyvale office for his only California campaign stop in 1980. He had a lifelong passion for movies, books, politics and wine. He loved anything connected with the seas and cruising--his last cruise in 2006 was on a sailing ship out of Barbados. Mr. McNally is survived by a daughter, Katherine Burton of San Diego, CA; son and daughter-in-law, Rob and Mary Beth McNally in Denver; sisters, Mae Bauerband of Silver Spring, MD; Pauline Emma of Bradenton, FL and grandchildren, Michael Burton, Charlotte Burton and Alexis Vierra He was preceded in death by Barbara Baker McNally. His ashes will be interred at Maryland State Veterans Cemetery, Crownsville, MD. Services are pending. Donations may be made to Queen of the Valley Hospital in Napa, CA or Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.