Franklin Harvey MacNamara Obituary
Franklin Harvey MacNamara (1922-2017)
We sadly announce the January 1, 2017 passing of Franklin Harvey MacNamara in Kingston, after a long and productive life. He was surrounded by family at his time of death. He was the beloved husband of the late Norma Beverley MacNamara (Bartle) 1928-2009.
Frank served as a navigator in the joint RCAF/RAF bomber command in WW2, graduated as an engineer in 1948 from the University of Toronto (B of Applied Science in Engineering Physics) where he met Beverley, married, then re-enlisted in the RCAF and served in various bases in Canada and Germany. After this, he worked in the Avro Arrow program, then finished his professional career as a physics and mathematics teacher in Etobicoke. Retirement kept Frank busy with winters in Florida where he tinkered and filled his time writing a grade 13 high school physics text book using his old Commodore computer. Even with Beverley’s disabilities, they loved to travel and Frank often designed and made devices to ease her life. Frank had such a wide range of interests and he was always busy and enthusiastic pursuing them: he was a prolific renovator, wood worker and gardener. He had a life-long love of music and was noted for filling the family home with lively organ music, played violin and viola in several orchestras in Etobicoke, Florida and in Kingston until his early 90s. He had a keen appreciation for the arts: loved live theatre, musical concerts and enjoyed drawing, painting and architecture design. Frank was noted for his enjoyment of reading and particularly researching the latest information on health and nutrition which combined with an active life style contributed to his long life. Frank was still making his own bread until his last days.
Frank was the son of Henry and Alice MacNamara (Ranshaw) and predeceased by his sisters, Helen and Madeline. He leaves behind his loving and loyal brother and sister-in-law, David and Doreen who provided him with exceptional support over the past several years while Frank maintained an independent life. He also leaves his nephew Roger (Jane) who provided much companionship when Frank moved back to Kingston. Frank will be deeply missed by his children: Don , James (Dorothy) and Janice (John), his 10 grandchildren (in order of birth), Alison, Joanna, Tyler, Dylan, Caitlin, Bailey, Kendra, Marley, Connor and Emily and his 7 great grandchildren, Rory, Parker, Isabel, Adelaide, Declan, Keira and Audrey. The family is ever grateful to the wonderful friendship provided by Mary Nickel over the past 6 years.
A celebration of Frank’s life will be held on Friday, January 6, 2017 at 1 pm at the TROUSDALE FUNERAL HOME at 4374 Mill St, Sydenham, Ontario which is the town of Frank’s birth. He will be interred in the MacNamara family plot in Sydenham in the Spring.
Frank supported many charities especially the Arthritis Society and the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Donations to these charities or to the Kingston General Hospital where Frank received exceptional care would be gratefully appreciated.