Joseph McNamara

Joseph Gage McNamara Sr., 87, of Duluth passed away Sunday, January 5th surrounded by his loving family. He was a happy life-long resident of Duluth, born November 18, 1926 to Alice and John McNamara. He graduated from Denfeld High School early and joined the Army Air Corp to serve in World War II as an air force mechanic based in Okinawa, Japan. Joe married the love of his life, the former Kathleen "Tassie" McMahon on April 22, 1950 and for 63 years they lived an inseparable life full of mutual love, respect, grounded in their faith. Joe's proudest accomplishments were his five children. He and Tassie traveled the globe to visit them creating scores of adventures and lifelong memories. Over the years, they made innumerable cross-country road trips to be present at all the special events in their children's lives, no matter the size or magnitude of the occasion. He was a friend to all, generous in spirit, and rich in character. Joe's favorite saying was "we had fun" and he did. He loved people, and often turned a 15-minute trip to the grocery store into a two-hour chat session. Joe proudly owned and operated Joes Standard Service on 7th Avenue West and Piedmont Avenue, from 1951- 1973, where he met countless lifelong friends. After closing the station, Joe joined the Duluth Public Schools, finding a niche in teaching high school auto mechanics to grateful students for 20 years. Throughout the years Joe also found great pleasure in teaching many Duluth women Powder Puff Mechanics.
Joe was a faithful member of St. Joseph Church in Duluth Heights for over 60 years where he proudly served as an usher and a member of the Knights of Columbus.
Joe is preceded in death by his parents, sister Grace Bruso and brother Jack McNamara. He is survived and will be greatly missed by his wife, Tassie, daughters Kathy McNamara of Arlington, Virginia, Mary Sharpe of Gilbert Arizona, Joan (Bill) Fallis of Duluth, sons Patrick (Debbie) of Santa Clarita, Ca, Joseph Junior (Duluth), his grandchildren Jason Sharpe and Lyndsey (Caleb) Griffith, Nicolle (Matt) Caton, Sean and Kaitlyn McNamara, Joseph and Tyler Rodriguez, many nieces and nephews and his sister on law, Sister Joanne McMahon.
A very heartfelt thanks to the wonderful staff at Westwood Terrace and Solvay House for the outstanding care of Joe.
Visitation will be Thursday, from 5-7pm with Wake Prayers at 6:30pm in the Dougherty Funeral Home. Visitation will continue Friday from 10am to the 11am Mass of Christian Burial at St. Joseph's Church, 151 W Linden St. Duluth Heights. Burial at Calvary Cemetery. Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E 2nd St. Duluth, MN, (218) 727-3555.