Eugene P. McNamara

Waltham - Rev. Msgr. Eugene P. McNamara, of Waltham, died Tuesday, April 16, 2013 at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. He was 84.

Affectionately known as 'Fr. Gene', he was born in Waltham, one of twelve children born to the late James and Mary (Walsh) McNamara. He was a graduate of Saint Mary's High School in Waltham. After completing studies at Saint John's Seminary in Brighton he was ordained to the priesthood in 1953 at Holy Cross Cathedral in Boston by Archbishop Richard J. Cushing.

His first assignments were at Saint Albert the Great Parish in Weymouth and at Saint Patrick's Church in Lawrence. In 1966 he was named diocesan director of Catholic Charities of Boston, a post he held for the next twenty years. He also earned a graduate degree in Social Work in 1965 from Boston College.

In 1986 he was named pastor of Saint Mary of the Nativity Church in Scituate and remained there until his retirement in 2003.

Fr. Gene leaves his sisters, Judith Mumford of Westwood and Sheila Breen of Waltham and generations of nieces and nephews.

He was also a brother of the late Eileen Keefe, Ita Delorey, Jane Bergin, James McNamara, Jr., John McNamara, Edward McNamara, Thomas McNamara, Alfred McNamara and Anne Touchstone.

Family and friends will honor and remember Fr. Gene's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Sunday, April 21st from 3 to 7 p.m. and again at 9 a.m. on Monday morning before leaving in procession to Saint Mary's Church, 133 School Street, Waltham where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Waltham.

Memorial donations may be made to Sunset Point Camp, c/o Catholic Charitable Bureau of Boston, 51 Sleeper Street, Boston, MA 02210.