Robert J. Mcnamara

GUILDERLAND- Robert J. McNamara, affectionately known as Bobby Mac, Albany Bob, and Dad, passed away unexpectedly at his home on May 6th, 2024 at the age of 64. Born in Manhattan, to Rose and Desmond McNamara, Bob spent his early childhood in the Bronx before moving with his family to Guilderland, New York.

He was a graduate of Guilderland High School and SUNY Plattsburgh. With an entrepreneurial spirit, he built his financial planning business from the ground up and planned to continue working well past retirement age.

Always the life of the party, he had an endless network of friends, family, and organizations he was deeply committed to. If there was a band, he was dancing. If there was a barbecue, he was on the grill. If there was someone in need, he said “when and where.” He spent many years serving his community as a board member or supporter of countless organizations including Wine and Dine for the Arts, Upstate Northeastern New York Chapter of Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, Playhouse Stage Company, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region, and Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York. While he was known well throughout the charity circuit, he reserved his most gracious spirit for his inner circle of family and friends.

He was adventurous and amassed a number of stamps in his passport, including trips to Italy, Ireland, France, Portugal, and many more. He was a New York sports fan and spent countless Sundays traveling to MetLife Stadium to cheer on the Giants, oftentimes more excited about the tailgate menu than the game itself. For much of his life, he could be found on the golf course, spending many Wednesday evenings with his league at Orchard Creek. He followed in the footsteps of his father, Desi, as an active member of the Guilderland Elks Lodge No. 2480. Despite his active social calendar, he was at his best on an afternoon by the grill with music playing and a house full of family and friends.

Bob’s love for cooking brought him close to local chefs and restaurateurs, many of which would become his close friends. He was a champion of culinary education as a member of the Culinary Institute of America Society of Fellows and supporter of the Yono Purnomo Scholarship Foundation.

Bob was a lot of things to a lot of people, but most importantly he was a father, brother, partner, cousin, and son. Bob is survived by his partner, Karen Gagnon; his children, Erin (Christopher) and Kirby McNamara; their mother, Cheryl McNamara; his sisters, Maryann McNamara and Susan Noonan; his nieces and nephews, JamieRose (Andy), Alex (Sydney) and Connor (Nicole) Noonan; as well as his many cousins and lifelong friends. He is predeceased by his parents, Rose and Desmond McNamara.

Bob’s funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday May 13, 2024 at 11 am in Christ the King Church 20 Sumter Ave. Guilderland. Relatives and friends are invited and can visit with his family prior to his Mass from 9 to 10:45 am in the church chapel.

His funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the DeMarco-Stone Funeral Home, Guilderland. Online condolences may be offered at demarcostonefuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you celebrate Bob’s life by donating to a charity of your choice.