James Michael McNamara

James M. McNamara, 94, died Friday, February 6, 2026 in John’s Creek, GA. Born and raised in Brighton, son of the late Michael and Ellen (Kearney) McNamara, he previously lived in Brighton, Stoughton, and Plymouth. He was predeceased by his siblings John, Helen, Winifred, Francis, and Bernard.

While growing up in Brighton, he proudly spoke of his paper route and how it helped support his widowed mother while his siblings served overseas. He graduated from Brighton High School in 1949, after which he proudly enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he was honorably discharged as a sergeant. Jim forgot many dates over the years, but he never forgot the date of his enlistment with the Corps. He married his best friend, Jacqueline M. Tully McNamara, in 1953, and they spent 72 happy years together. As they started their family, he studied at the Burdett School of Accounting, completing his studies in 1956. Jim and Jackie moved to Stoughton, in 1959 to raise their family.

While living in Stoughton, he was an active member of Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, where he served as President of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and volunteered in various other activities, forming many lifelong friendships. He was also Treasurer of the Stoughton High School Athletic Boosters Club. In the late 1960s, they purchased a cottage on White Horse Beach in Plymouth, where he enjoyed taking the month of July off from work to spend time with his family. He loved fishing, lobstering, and water skiing with his children. He volunteered variously as president, vice president, or treasurer of the White Horse Beach Association for many years, helping to improve the beach experience for his children and their friends. Jim worked for Brandeis University for most of his career, retiring in 1994.

Jim always had a sharp wit and was eminently quotable, much like Yogi Berra. His grandchildren collected several pages of his quotes over the years. Jokingly, he would say, “I’m good, kind, decent, shy, and a little bit good-looking. I’m Jimmy, good guy.” He was certainly all of that and more. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

He said many times over the last few years about his passing, “Do not cry because I’ll be gone; laugh because I was here.” He brought great joy and laughter to many over his 94 years.

He is survived by his loving wife, Jacqueline; their children, Stephen (Judy) of Stoughton, Paul (Patricia) of Cumming, GA, and James (Stacey) of Johns Creek, GA; ten grandchildren; and eleven great-grandchildren.

A Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Johns Creek, GA.

Services in Stoughton will include Funeral Prayers and Family Reflections in the Farley Funeral Home in Stoughton, on Thursday February 26, 2026 from 4 PM-5 PM with Visiting Hours to follow from 5 PM-7PM. Memorial Prayers will be held in the Funeral Home on Friday, February 27, 2026 at 10:30 AM with Funeral Procession and Burial to follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in West Roxbury, MA.

In lieu of flowers the family kindly requests donations in his name to these charities that he loved: Saint Jude Children’s (stjude.org) or Tunnels to Tower Foundation (t2t.org.) There is a video from the livestream of the funeral the family would like to share: https://www.youtube.com/live/Oxamzx6GVpA?si=qDzcvuRFS6cNfiUH