Henry E. “Harry” McNamara, 74, died Friday, Sept. 10, 2010 at Massachusetts General Hospital, surrounded by his loving family, after a lengthy illness.Born in Haverhill, he was the son of Irish immigrants, the late, Patrick and Kathleen (Maher) McNamara. He was a graduate of St. James Grammar School and St. James High School, Class of 1953. He earned his B.S. degree in Education at Salem State College and his master’s degree from Northeastern University.He was a lifelong parishioner of St. James Church, serving on its parish council. A true icon in the history of the city of Haverhill, “Coach Harry Mac” taught in the Haverhill Public School system for over 37 years. He taught at the John Greenleaf Whittier Middle School from 1960 until 1973, and was promoted to the Dr. Albert B. Consentino School, retiring as Assistant Principal in 1996. His long and dedicated teaching career earned him respect and admiration by his peers, not only in the local school system but also on the state level, serving on many educational committees and receiving several awards, including, the government of Massachusetts Meritorious Service Award and Haverhill Bar Association Liberty Bell award.Not only was “Harry” dedicated to his students in the classroom, but also to the many local youth on various athletic fields. He coached Haverhill High freshman football and was the Director of the Haverhill Recreational Basketball League for over 20 years. He was the founding president of the Haverhill Touchdown Club as well as one of the original members of the Haverhill Stadium Commission. He received several athletic awards throughout his coaching career, including the Lawrence Eagle Tribune Sportsman of the Year.He leaves his beloved wife of 46 years, Donna E. (Kyle) McNamara, of Haverhill two sons, Patrick B. McNamara, also of Haverhill, Dennis J. and his wife Amy C. (Siudit) McNamara of Virginia Beach, Va. two cherished grandchildren, Courtney E. and Gavin J. McNamara and a sister, Patricia M. McNamara of Haverhill.ARRANGEMENTS: Friends and family are respectfully invited to call on Monday from 3 to 7 p.m. and Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home, 486 Main St. (Route 125), Haverhill. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 9 a.m. from the funeral home with a Mass of Christian burial to be celebrated at 10 a.m. in St. James Church, Winter Street, Haverhill. Burial will follow in Elmwood Cemetery, Salem Street, Bradford. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Haverhill Touchdown Club, P.O. Box 5292, Bradford, MA 01835. www.comeaufuneral.com.
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