Obituary

Obituary
Robert (Bob) McNamara, 92, died Thursday, December 10, 2020, surrounded by his loving wife, Ilean, and their four children. He was born July 6, 1928 in Rockford to William and Fern (Bailey) McNamara. A graduate of St. Thomas High School in 1947, Bob married his high school sweetheart and life-long partner, Ilean Mae Lind, in June of 1948, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church.

Bob began working for Illinois Bell Telephone Company at 18 and became a dedicated telephone employee for his entire career of 35 years, retiring in 1982. During that time he rose from a lineman, to a cable splicer, to a residential and commercial installer, and then served in a variety of telephone operations and management positions, concluding his career as Rockford Plant Operations Manager with AT&T. Bob very much enjoyed all aspects of the telephone business and its technological evolution. He traveled throughout the State of Illinois in various capacities and made numerous life-long friends in the telephone industry.

Bob (and Ilean) lived a full and rewarding life, retiring at 53, moving to their lake home near Hayward, WI and then eventually to Haines City, FL, before returning to Rockford.. They loved fishing, snowmobiling and golfing, especially with their children and grandchildren, as well as traveling (Ireland, Hawaii, Alaska, Mexico, European River cruising) and cheering for the Green Bay Packers !!

Bob was a proud Irishman and an outstanding father figure to his four children, ten grandchildren and twenty great grandchildren who adored him as Papa, the McNamara family patriarch. Whenever you talked to him, with his calming spirit, he made you feel like you were telling him the most important thing he had ever heard. He modeled healthy relationships, acceptance and compassion which benefited all generations that followed. We are all better because of you, Papa.

Many martinis to you Papa, Rest Easy and Job Well Done !!

Bob is survived by his wife of 72 years, Ilean; children John (Diane) McNamara of Phoenix, AZ, Monica (Vincent) Kelso of Rockford, Michele (Bradley) Ticknor of Rockford and Patricia (Jeffrey) Berg of Caledonia, and sister Jeanette Hughes of Haines City, FL; and immensely loved by his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his three sisters Catherine, Roberta and Francis, and brother John.

A special thank you to Heartland Hospice for their outstanding care of Bob and Ilean over the past 8 months.

A private family mass will be held on December 22, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. and will be available via livestream at https://www.stbridgetlovespark.org/ - click on the “View Livestream” link. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Heartland Hospice. Due to Covid-19, inurnment will take place at a later date at Scandinavian Cemetery, 1700 Rural Street, Rockford, IL in conjunction with a celebration of life Mass and gathering. Share online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.