Michael McNamara Obituary

Charles Hardin please reach out to me, I'm Michael's youngest daughter

Is this the Michael McNamara who served with me in Vietnam 68. I treasure his memory and have searched for years.

Dear McNamara Family,

We're so sorry to hear about Mike's passing! We remember him from the good old days at STM. He always had a smile on his face and a funny story to tell. Always a lot of fun!

You're in our thoughts and prayers.

We all often think back on our youth and the crazy things that we did and often say in our own defense, “Well, I turned out okay.” When Mike would make this statement invariably the response would be “Yeah, but it took you long enough.” His youth and somewhat of his adulthood were filled with adventures, incredible stories too many to mention here. However, in watching him, I believe the adventure he enjoyed the most in his life was fatherhood. He used to tell me “You gotta love ‘em or you’ll kill them.” Well, Laurel and Michelle are still alive so I know he loved ‘em and continues to do so.

Colleen,
I am sorry for your loss. He touched everyone's life at Amtrak. You saw him everymorning leaning against the station wall. He appeared to be holding the place up.
He will be greatly missed. In fact was that derailment in his honor?

colleen, michael was one of a kind, never met anyone like him & don't think i ever will. He always made everyone laugh, at times to a point of tears. were all going to miss him. colleen you were the love of his life. laurel & mick your father loved you i remember the day you were both born how proud & excited he has. daddy was a grat guy & he loved his girls.

Colleen, there are no words I can say to ease your loss. Please remember that your family will be in the prayers of many. Mike was so loved and respected and will be missed by all who knew him.

On behalf of the McNamara Family I want to thank everyone for there support and prayers.

-Laurel

I was saddened to hear of Mac's passing. I could always depend on him to fix any problem I was having with my locomotive. We had some good times together...good conversations, we shared some good stories, and had plenty of laughs. He will truly be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Sincerely,

So long " Mac ", I'm glad to have met you @ Amtrak in the late 80's and into the mid 90's and most recently in 2008. My sympathy goes out to everyone who have known you.

Colleen Please accept my deepest sympathy for your family. McNamara will be greatly missed, he was a great person and Amtrak co-worker.

Colleen, may the Lord be with you and your children in this time. My prayer is that he keep you, strenthen you and carry you through this time. Trust in the Lord and be of good courage and he will strenthen your heart.

Colleen & Girls,
May God guide you through these trying times as He enfolds Mike. Words will never express the depth of my feelings over your loss. I will miss Mike greatly.

Colleen;
Mac and I have worked together for 30yrs from 16th St. to CUS. He could always put a smile on my face no matter what the circumtance. Mac's humor would always pull us through at 16th St. and CUS. Mac was a great person all round he could handle any problem those loco's gave him. I feel very fortunate to have had Mac as a friend for all those years. CUS is a somber place without "Mac" standing at his post waving and smiling. "Diesel Mac" will never be forgotten for the knowledge of his job and the people he touched.There is only one "MAC"and no one could ever replace him, he was the staple at CUS.

Colleen,
My sincere condolences on the loss of your loved one. Mike was always happy and smiling and a great inspiration to us all. May the memories of laughter and love that you shared bring you and your daughters peace now and always. Joyce

Mike was a great guy, I only knew him from working around him in C.U.S. We got to know each other, and we always cracked jokes everytime we seen each other, just fun little type jokes, he was guy who could may you laugh. He will be missed. Officer Heppner Amtrak Police (Larry) My deepest symathies to the family.

Colleen,
My deepest sympathy goes out to you and your family. Mac will be in our prayers. My daily morning stroll through the station when getting off the train will now be missing something.
God Bless and Peace.

Colleen,
I remember one day standing outside of the Debriefing Office in the basement of Union Station with Sharon Reeves, and Mike rolled by on the his cart, smiled and waved. I didn't know him before that occasion, but every time I saw him after that he always made me smile when we greeted each other. Everyone who spoke of Mike said the he was a genuinely nice guy. Mike will be missed by many. My prayers go out to you and your family.

October 15, 2008
Sears Tower, Oak Room
Amtrak 30/35 Year Anniversary Employees

Colleen, Our deepest sympathies and our prayers are with you and the girls. We are so sorry for your loss. We will all miss his smiling face.
Bill, Laurel and Billy Tegtman.

Employess at Amtrak Pittsburgh send our sympathies.

Please accept my deepest sympathies.

If leaving behind a large number of people who have only kind thoughts is a measure of success, Mike was surely a successful man.

If leaving behind a large number of people who have only kind words to say is a measure of goodness, Mike was surely a good man.

If leaving behind a large number of people who have only pleasant memories is a measure of a worthwhile life, Mike was surely a worthy man.

If leaving behind a large number of people who know first-hand kindness and respect given freely is a measure of nobility, Mike was surely a noble man.

If leaving behind a large number of people who feel emptiness and loss is a measure of friendship, Mike surely was a friend.

We should all aspire to someday be held in high esteem to the level at which we all hold Mike. His dedication and work ethic make him a true Amtrak hero. I am honored to have known Mike. I am thankful that God blessed us all with Mike in our lives. We have truly lost a treasure.

He'll be waiting for us, when our time comes, with that familiar smile. When he greets us, he'll probably ask us what took us so long. And he'll laugh.

I am sorry to hear of your loss,I worked with Mac for over twenty-five years and he was a great friend. I will miss him.

Colleen, My Deepest Sympathy to you & your family. I found out today and am sadden by your lost. I had the pleasure of working with Mike @ 16th st & you in reservations. When I would come back in town from PHL or JAN. I would see him @ the Station, smiling & joking about something. I know our entire Amtrak family will truly miss him.

Colleen,laurel,Michelle,
My deepest sympathy are with you. I've been praying for Mac since before the holidays.
I've had the pleasure to know and work with Mac for at least 23 years. It is my HONOR and Pleasure to claim him as a friend. He will be deeply missed by his friends at Amtrak. He always brought a smile to my face when I was down.

I am sorry for your loss. You & your family are in my prayers.

Colleen and Girls Our family was saddened to find out about Mikey. He was a great guy and had a heart of gold. His sense of humor was always a reason to want to have Mike around. He could always bring your spirits up. You are in our prayers and if ever you need anything you can always find a way to get a hold of one of us. cindy

We are sorry for your loss. Mike will always be remembered. I will miss seeing him riding around the station with that big smile. God bless you and you family.

mac you were my cus buddy and i could always count on you to fix the locos. you were a fine irishman and full of the blarney. have fun in heaven. your friend
oscar

Mike was a very good friend and a good co-worker . He will be missed and will your family accepet our deepest sympathy.

Mac and I would talk and laugh about all the craziness we saw at Union Station. He had a great sense of humor. He will be greatly missed. Colleen, your loss is our loss too! May God bless you and your family.

Colleen
I was at the station the other day and was informed by Joyce Marsh of the situation. I didn't know and it hurt me deeply. Please know that you and your family are in my prayers. I miss you and I am saddened by your loss. Trust in the Lord and be of good cheer....God will take care of you. Love Edith

Colleen,Laurel and Michelle,
My deepest sympathy. your dad was my coach in baseball from the old days. Always a smile on his face. We had a blast with him. He was always up for a laugh. What a great guy.

I was so sorry to hear about your husband. Please know that my prayers are with you and your family.
God Bless.

Mac was always very helpful and dedicated in his work. I can't tell you the number of times in which I asked Mac to help me or my engineers perform some task to get the train out on time. And much more often than not-he did it. Mac was a knowledgeable and smart man. On the railroad, we are all too often judged by our work ethic and performance. But by any standard Mac was a good man and a good person. J.A. Anderson-RFE/Mke

We are so honored to have had Mac in our lifes. He was a very strong man, a cherished down to earth human being and a true friend. He worked hard and loved his family. There is no doubt he will be missed by many. Mike was a One of a Kind guy. Thank you Mike for all you gave us. We love you. God Bless.
Sincerely,
Linda Marie and Terry Chenore (Orland Park, Il)

I'm going to miss Mike greatly! Mike possesed that rare human quality of "making the connection" or had that "human touch" with his wit, charm, and good natured humor.

You always came away from him smiling and feeling better. He had a quick laugh and smile. He had great leadership qualities and knew how to handle tough or delicate situations. Best of all, Mac was a "professional" in every sense of the word. He knew his craft and he always rose to the challenge to get engines out of Chicago.

He really knew locomotives and never embarrassed you if you called him about a engine not loading. Especially if it was just a matter of flicking the generator field switch to on because you forgot. :) He'd laugh, pat ya on the head and he was off to the next fire to put out.

I'm really going to miss him. Amtrak is a emptier place without him. My sincere condolences to his wife and family.

I had the pleasure of knowing and working with 'Mac' for many years. He was a true professional and a valued asset to the company. He always had a smile on his face and funny stories to share. We'll all miss him. May God bless.

I was sorry to learn of Mac's passing. Although I never had the pleasure of meeting him, I know he was very much loved by all of you. Please accept my condolences ... I will keep him in my prayers. Bee Hammond (Mary Jo's co-worker from Sargent & Lundy)

Few men have been held in as high esteem as he was for many years for his dedication and expertise in mechanical repairs and maintenance of equipment getting trains out on time and making happy passengers. The many years of devoted service will be long remembered by the people of Amtrak. We all appreciated the happiness you so willingly shared and inspired into others and may your memories be a source of comfort for all you have touched in life. Until we meet again my friend!

Thanks

Michael McNamara was a dedicated coworker and genuine friend. Mike made a difference in lives he touched. Mike will be greatly missed by all.

Colleen,

We are so sorry for your loss. Be assured you and your loved ones will be remembered in our prayers.

Joe and Linda Hayes (Amtrak)

Mike always had a funny story to tell. Great sense of humor! He will be truly missed by many. However, never forgotten.

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

Celebrating a life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever.

Mike was one of the best of the people I've known.
He was a friend and will be missed.