Obituary
Dr. Charles Richard Patrick Gerard McNamara, of Winter Park, Florida, entered into the presence of the Lord on September 27, 2021, surrounded by his family.
Born August 6, 1954, in Melrose, Massachusetts, Charlie was the fifth child of Christine & Dr. Francis McNamara.
A 1979 graduate from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston, MA, Charlie’s compassionate practice as an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon was unmatched. He completed two residencies in Anesthesiology and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC. He completed a third residency in Dental Implantology at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, FL. He taught Clinical Oral Surgery at Tufts University and was a Clinical Instructor for the University of Miami Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Charlie eventually settled in Winter Park, FL where he became a partner with the Oral & Facial Surgeons of Mid-Florida. He was a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, and served as the Chairman of the Department of Dentistry for Florida Hospital and Orlando Regional Medical Center. He was also a member of the Board of Directors for the Dental Society of Greater Orlando.
More important than being a surgeon, Charlie was a family man. Nothing took priority over being a father, husband and friend. He had that well known sense of humor and brilliantly quick wit. He had a listening ear and he always knew how to get the monsters out from under the bed. Charlie loved fly fishing and grilling. His day started before sunrise with coffee and games of solitaire before work and often ended watching WW II documentaries and eating cereal before bed. He would argue with “Alexa” and challenge contestants on Jeopardy. Charlie was proof that having an extortionary impact and living an ordinary life are not mutually exclusive. He truly possessed a servant’s heart. Charlie leaves his family with a legacy to be kind, to give of ourselves, to laugh, and when able, to ease the suffering of another.
Charlie’s death came suddenly just at the time he was looking forward to retiring, being with his family and watching his precious grandson grow up with “Papa’s” counsel. May our broken hearts be a testament of the love we feel for you.
Charlie is survived by his wife and best friend, Joan McNamara. He leaves behind four children and their spouses: Charles McNamara, Jr. and Sarah Minnis; Muriel Collins and Ryan Collins; Rory McNamara; and Anna Christine Faircloth. He is also survived by his grandson, Charles Collins; his siblings and sisters-in-law, Dr. Francis McNamara and Genevieve McNamara; Paul McNamara and Sam Johnson; Christine “Honey” Haigis; and John McNamara and Linda McNamara; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews. Reunited with the family and friends he has not seen in a long time, Charlie is preceded in death by his father and mother, Dr. Francis McNamara and Christine McNamara; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Dr. Grover Smith and Christine Smith; and his brother-in-law, Dr. Michael Smith.
A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, October 16th, at 10am at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Winter Park, Florida. Following the mass, a reception will be held at the University Club of Winter Park from 11 am – 1 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Dr. McNamara’s name to the Semper Fi Fund: https://semperfifund.org/donate/
Service
526 N Park Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789
He will be dearly missed. Sending love to the family and mostly to Rory and Muriel!
We send our most sincere condolences to all his family.
Michael and Eileen, Asheville NC
God Speed, Charles
Linda, Larry and Alexander Creilson
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Our deepest sympathies,
Members of the Dental Society of Greater Orlando
KaManda
I feel so blessed to have gotten to know Charlie. Scott and I feel so lucky to have had time with him when he came to Lenoir-Rhyne University to visit Christine in Hickory. It became so apparent why he was so beloved by his friends and family. We, too, fell in love with this beautiful person.
You can never lose what you once loved and enjoyed. All that you love deeply becomes a part of you. Charlie will forever live on in each of you.
They say “Death shows up to remind us to live more fully“.
No one lived more fully than Charlie and we loved the stories he and Joan told us of their life together. He was such a gentleman, but we got such a kick out of his laughter as he recounted his antics on vacations with Joan or visiting his children.
Thank you, Joan, for sharing your precious husband with us.
Sending my deepest sympathy,
Beth
I feel so blessed that I was lucky enough to spend time with Charlie during Christine’s time at Lenoir-Rhyne University. His many visits to watch her play lacrosse, gave Scott and I the chance to understand all the love and admiration he had from friends and family. We, too, fell in love with him. It was so obvious what a blessing he was in the lives of those he loved. I hope that you come to realize that you can never lose what you once loved and enjoyed. He became a part of you. Sadly, grief is the price we pay for love. His beautiful presence will live on forever in each of you.
Sending my deepest sympathy,
Beth
I met him him in August of 2015 and last saw him this last November. Between my 2 pulls/replacements and my 95-year old Father-In-Law’s 2 we were blessed to be in his care.
A finer Gentleman and gifted surgeon is not to be found. His caring and his advice regarding treatment plans for Dad in the “if this were my father, I would advice” be gave us great satisfaction and relief. I continue to use the boil your own $2 mouth guard he recommended in 2017 as opposed to the dentists recommended $400 model with no more broken teeth since!
Really enjoyed our ongoing banter regarding the Duke/Michigan State basketball rivalry. The Blue Devils will miss his support.
Know how much he enjoyed NC & was looking forward to his full retirement.
Stay safe and God’s Speed to you and yours.
My thoughts are with you all at this very sad and so very surreal time.
Charlie was special. His quick witted humor and entertaining wordplay were matched equally with his kindness.
My hope is that you all find solace in joyful memories and special moments shared - forever in your hearts.
Wishing you Peace and Strength.
Much Love,
Sally
You are all in my thoughts during this very sad time.
Charlie was special. His quick witted humor and wordplay would only be matched by his kindness.
I hope you all find solace in the joyful memories and special moments you shared - and will forever hold dear in your hearts.
Wishing you peace and strength.
Much Love -
Sally
Charlie left so many contributions in this world of which to be proud. It was my privilege to be able to call him a friend. He was the consummate professional, and the most relentless punster as well. He loved words and how they could be fashioned to get a good laugh. I will miss his limericks, and I will miss the man.
We are so sorry to hear of Charlie's passing. Although we never knew him personally we did know of him from our good friends John and Linda. Sending love and prayers to all. RIP Charlie.
Arlene and Marty
We are terribly sorry for loss of Uncle Charlie. He always checked in by texts, private messages and sweet comments on pictures and posts. We really enjoyed the wit and the way he genuinely cared about Pina, Christopher and Giulia. It meant so much to know he loved my little family so much . We will miss him so much but never forget the life he lived and love he gave to so many.
Sending love to you all, we are here for you always.
We will keep him forever in our hearts. Chris, Pina , Christopher and Giulia
We are so sorry that Charlie is gone! We expected to have many more years of his laughter and wit. He loved you all so much! We will alway remember him and keep him in our hearts. Sending love and prayers to you all!
Charlie's passing has clouded our family in sorrow but now we need to join together and comfort each other. It is also the time to remember all of the good times, the laughs, the jokes, and all the happy family gatherings.
Frank and Gen