Mr. Jack MacNamara Passes on

Northland Age, Volume 3, Issue 15, 12 January 1934, Page 6

Mr. Jack MacNamara Passes on

Mr. Jack MacNamara died suddenly at his residence, Ngawha, last Thursday morning. He was 78 years old, but bore his years bravely, being active up to the last minute, and to the end taking that pride in his personal appearance that was a characteristic during his whole life. On the Saturday preceding his death he was in Kaikohe, which he visited often, and in discussing the Country Cricket week in Auckland related some of his own cricketing experiences and expressed the opinion that he felt well enough to handle the bat with men many years younger.

The funeral took place at Waimate North Church cemetery on Saturday morning. It was largely attended by residents from all parts of the district. The hymn, “O God Our Help in Ages Past,” was sung, and the Rev. J. C. Fussell who conducted the service paid a tribute to the memory of a cheerful friend and an enthusiastic sportsman. The coffin was covered with wreaths and crosses of beautiful flowers. The late Mr. MacNamara was born in Auckland and came North when a youth. He worked in the Manganese mines at Matawhi Bay, Russell, and later became a gum buyer at Rakauwahi for Messrs. Goffe and Dickeson, and followed this by managing a store at Ngawha for Dickeson Bros. After a period he took over the store himself in conjunction with the duties of postmaster. About 17 years ago he left Ngawha to go to Tokomaru Bay on the East Coast as manager of a store and post office there, remaining for a number of years. He then came North again and worked for the Misses Adamson at Taipa, Mangonui,

returning to Ngawha several years ago to take up his residence in the house he had been living in twenty years before. All his life tne late Mr. MacNamara was a true sport. He loved horseracing, cricket and football. He always rode a good horse, bearing himself in a soldierly way in the saddle and keeping his mount and its accoutrements in the same spick and span way that he did his own dress. He was an out and out cricketer, knew the game thoroughly, and its minutest etiquette, and right up to the end frequently acted as umpire in local matches. But his greatest interest in this sport was the coaching of colts. He delighted to instruct the youth in the game he knew so well, and several teams in the early days rose to local fame owing to his careful instruction.

Mr. MacNamara was a prominen member of the Oddfellows, being i

past Noble Grand Master of Kawakawa Lodge. He was twice married, and his second wife survives him. There are four sons and four daughters.