DRACUT - Dennis P. McNamara, a longtime Dracut resident and former town official, died July 16 at home in Dracut. He had been diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, in October 2006. He most recently celebrated his 55th birthday with his many friends and family members.
Dennis was born in Lowell on July 6, 1953, the son of the late Peter A. and Velda B. (Tewksbury) McNamara. He was a lifelong Dracut resident having attended Dracut schools. He went on to further his education at Northern Essex Community College and the University of Lowell where he majored in Business Administration.
Well known in the Massachusetts land conservation community, Dennis was employed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, as a Land Protection Specialist where he was directly involved in the protection of over 5,000 acres of important wildlife habitat and conservation land. Many of these parcels of land are located in Middlesex and Essex counties.
Dennis held membership in the Essex County Greenbelt Association, a regional land protection organization, and, in 2007, he was recognized for his outstanding work in land conservation at the organization's annual meeting.
Dennis was active in Dracut town government for many years having been elected to the Planning Board and School Committee. He had previously been employed as the Executive Secretary to the Dracut Board of Selectmen and Administrative Assistant to the Pelham Board of Selectmen. He was also involved in the Dracut community as a former member of the Dracut Jaycees and Dracut Lion's Club and was a longtime member of the Lowell Lodge of Elks.
Dennis was also recently honored by the Town of Dracut with a wooded handicapped-accessible trail named in his honor (Dennis P. McNamara Way) in the Kenwood section of town.
Dennis was well known for his humor, quick wit and for his many close friendships within the Dracut community. He was honored in April 2007 with a gathering of over 600 of his friends, family, and work associates, including those with whom he enjoyed spending time in the Fort Lauderdale, FL area.
He is survived by a sister, Maureen Bell of Dracut; two brothers, Dr. Michael McNamara and his wife, Elaine of Dracut and Richard McNamara of Key West, FL; a dear friend and caretaker, Debbie Ritchotte, along with many nieces and nephews. He was also the brother of the late Carl R. McNamara who died in 2002.
Friends may call at the DRACUT FUNERAL HOME, 2159 Lakeview Avenue, DRACUT, on Sunday from 3 to 8 PM. His funeral will be held from the funeral home on Monday at 7:45 AM, followed by his Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 9 AM at St. Francis Church in Dracut. Burial in Richardson Cemetery in Dracut. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dennis P. McNamara Fund, Dracut Scholarship Foundation, P.O. Box 117, Dracut, MA 01826. For online condolences please use icon below.