SCRANTON [PA]TIMES, JULY 9, 1924
P. F. McNAMARA, FIRST FURNITURE DEALER HERE, IS DEAD AT HOME OF SON
AGED WEST SIDE RESIDENT STRICKEN WITH FATAL ILLNESS WEEK FOLLOWING DEATH OF WIFE
Stricken with an illness a week following the death of his wife, Patrick F. McNamara, aged seventy-nine years, of 815 Eynon Street, died this morning at 9:40 o’clock at the home of his son, John McNamara, of 814 West Elm Street. Mrs. McNamara died on June 20 and was laid at rest in Cathedral Cemetery.
Mr. McNamara resided in West Scranton since 1863 and was one of the well known and most prominent citizens. He was born in Ireland and when a young boy came to this country with his parents [Francis and Mary Manley McNamara] who made their home in Canada [Lochaber, Quebec]. At the age of twenty-one years, he came to this city and, having become proficient in the art of cabinet making, opened what was probably the earliest furniture store of the city at 815 Eynon Street. During his active life, much of the furniture was the product of the hands and not of machinery and in many homes in this city and valley the work of his hands is among highly prized furniture. He was engaged by many of the officials of Catholic churches of this region to fashion fixtures for use in the sacred edifices.
He was one of the first communicants of St. Patrick’s church and with the organization of St. Ann’s parish, Lincoln Heights, together with his late wife, he became one of the organizers of that parish. He was faithful and devout in attending his religious duties and he was admired for his many sterling characteristics.
Mr. McNamara is survived by two sons, John McNamara, of the Glen Alden Coal company, and Thomas J., travelling freight and passenger agent for the D. & H. Railroad. The funeral will probably be held on Saturday morning with a solemn high mass of requiem in St. Ann’s church. The body will be laid at rest beside that of his wife in the family plot in Cathedral cemetery.