Obituary for Patrick M. McNamara
NISKAYUNA - Patrick McNamara, 62, passed away on February 22, 2022, from a heart attack at his home.
Born in Utica in 1959, he grew up in Clinton and is the son of Jack “Mac” McNamara and the late Rosemary “Ro” Beerhalter McNamara. He was a Cum Laude graduate of the University of Rochester in 1981 and received his Juris Doctorate from Boston College Law School where he was published in the Boston College Law Review.
Patrick practiced law in New York City for 27 years before moving to the Capital District. He was known as a lawyer with good business advice and as a hardworking and valued colleague. He is the owner and Director of the Sylvan Learning Center in Albany and Clifton Park. He considered Sylvan his extended family and received profound fulfillment in changing children’s lives.
Patrick’s life was significantly influenced by his love for music. He took pride in performing with an orchestral ensemble of the Eastman School of Music as a student in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Rochester, a recognition of his musical talent and a rare honor for a student who was not a Music major.
After law school he pursued a practice specializing in entertainment law, and worked with a wide range of artists, managers, producers, and record labels. He was on the Board of Directors of the Northeast Ballet Company and of Friends of Mozart, a chamber music organization in New York City for which he also served as Treasurer.
Patrick enjoyed the challenges of fly-fishing and golf and was a member of the Two by Fore Golf Assoc. He travelled frequently and extensively, visiting friends in Holland, Singapore, Sweden, Spain, Brazil, and many other places. He was a loyal friend who remembered intricate details of his friends’ lives and offered them valuable insight. An accomplished amateur chef, he often hosted relaxed opportunities for his friends and family to enjoy good food and conversation.
Above all Patrick was a devoted son, brother, and uncle. He loved sharing the lives of his nephews and nieces, introducing them to food and Broadway shows in New York City. He was known to them affectionately as “Pot”, a malapropism of “Pat”. To his sisters he was their rock, their older brother always ready to jump in with advice and thoughtful help.
Survivors in addition to his father include his sisters, AnnMarie Massie (Matt) of Westport, CT, Lisa Dack (Michael) of Waterford, Terri Black (Tim) of Niskayuna and Mary E. Palin (Steve) of Jamesville. He was the proud uncle of Kirk and Jack Massie, Paul Dack (Katie), Megan and Maddie Black and Mack, Nick and Abby Palin.
Relatives and friends may visit the Philip J. Brendese Funeral Home, 133 Broad St. (Rt. 32), Waterford. on Saturday, March 5, 2022 from 11am -12:30 pm. A memorial service will be held at 12:30 pm.
In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make memorial contributions to: Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (broadwaycares.org), Friends of Mozart (friendsofmozart.org), or the Northeast Ballet Company (northeastballet.org)
Born in Utica in 1959, he grew up in Clinton and is the son of Jack “Mac” McNamara and the late Rosemary “Ro” Beerhalter McNamara. He was a Cum Laude graduate of the University of Rochester in 1981 and received his Juris Doctorate from Boston College Law School where he was published in the Boston College Law Review.
Patrick practiced law in New York City for 27 years before moving to the Capital District. He was known as a lawyer with good business advice and as a hardworking and valued colleague. He is the owner and Director of the Sylvan Learning Center in Albany and Clifton Park. He considered Sylvan his extended family and received profound fulfillment in changing children’s lives.
Patrick’s life was significantly influenced by his love for music. He took pride in performing with an orchestral ensemble of the Eastman School of Music as a student in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Rochester, a recognition of his musical talent and a rare honor for a student who was not a Music major.
After law school he pursued a practice specializing in entertainment law, and worked with a wide range of artists, managers, producers, and record labels. He was on the Board of Directors of the Northeast Ballet Company and of Friends of Mozart, a chamber music organization in New York City for which he also served as Treasurer.
Patrick enjoyed the challenges of fly-fishing and golf and was a member of the Two by Fore Golf Assoc. He travelled frequently and extensively, visiting friends in Holland, Singapore, Sweden, Spain, Brazil, and many other places. He was a loyal friend who remembered intricate details of his friends’ lives and offered them valuable insight. An accomplished amateur chef, he often hosted relaxed opportunities for his friends and family to enjoy good food and conversation.
Above all Patrick was a devoted son, brother, and uncle. He loved sharing the lives of his nephews and nieces, introducing them to food and Broadway shows in New York City. He was known to them affectionately as “Pot”, a malapropism of “Pat”. To his sisters he was their rock, their older brother always ready to jump in with advice and thoughtful help.
Survivors in addition to his father include his sisters, AnnMarie Massie (Matt) of Westport, CT, Lisa Dack (Michael) of Waterford, Terri Black (Tim) of Niskayuna and Mary E. Palin (Steve) of Jamesville. He was the proud uncle of Kirk and Jack Massie, Paul Dack (Katie), Megan and Maddie Black and Mack, Nick and Abby Palin.
Relatives and friends may visit the Philip J. Brendese Funeral Home, 133 Broad St. (Rt. 32), Waterford. on Saturday, March 5, 2022 from 11am -12:30 pm. A memorial service will be held at 12:30 pm.
In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make memorial contributions to: Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (broadwaycares.org), Friends of Mozart (friendsofmozart.org), or the Northeast Ballet Company (northeastballet.org)