The Tumut and Adelong Times 28 Jul 1922
Sudden Death of Mr. M. McNamara. A particularly melancholy event happened on Tuesday last, just as the business places were closing for lunch hour, when that old and highly respected resident, Mr. Michael McNamara, suddenly collapsed in front of Mr. F. L. Bakers store, and died before any assistance could be given or remedies applied. His charge of the dressmaking department of Mr. F. L. Baker's store, and daughter Miss Bertha McNamara, has it has been the custom of her father for some time past to drive his sulky from his residence to the town to take his daughter home to luncheon. On Tuesday he came along a bit earlier than usual, and attended to some business points, also conversed in his usual jovial way with friends he met, not showing the slightest indication of any ailment, although it was known that he has for a long time past been suffering from an affection of the heart, for which he was under the care of Dr. Browne. Just upon 1 o'clock he drove to the front of the store for his daughter, and was about to alight from the trap, when he seemed to have missed the step and fell to the ground, expiring in a few moments. Several persons saw him fall, and ran to his assistance, just in time to see him breath his last. The body was taken to Porter's Wynyard Hotel, where Dr. Browne, after making an examination, pronounced life to be extinct. The remains were afterwards laid on a stretcher, and were carried by friends, acting in relays four at a time, to the abode from which an hour or so previously the departed one had left, apparently in his usual health and in good spirits. He had been a martyr for some time past to sciatica, but always bore the pain with fortitude; and through the weakness of the heart he was forbidden to undertake anything in the way of manual labor. The great shock and grief experienced by the sorrow-stricken widow and daughter can be better imagined than described. Mr. Mat. S. Downing drove Miss McNamara home, and in the most tactful manner possible imparted the heartrending intelligence to the mother, whose emotion was intense on learning of the sudden departure of her much loved partner in life for close on half a century. The sorrow depicted on the faces of people as they discussed the sad episode was most marked, and our town has never before borne such an afflicted appearance. The deceased was one of its best known identities, and was respected by all classes of the community. Up to a few years back he took a prominent and intelligent part in public affairs, particularly in sporting matters, having occupied with very great credit indeed the position of secretary of the Tumut Turf Club for over 30 years, winning high enconiums from all patrons of the sport for the careful and efficient manner in which he carried out duties of the office, and he also was a solid adviser to the committee in transacting business of the club. When the sciatic malady overtook him he had to resign the office he had filled so well, and lived in retirement to a great extent. He continued on the lighter duties, however, of secretary of the Tumut Commons and poundkeeper, two appointments he had held for about 40 years, and was never known to neglect any duties attached to the undertakings. The following is copied from the publication "The Centennial History of N.S. Wales," published in 1888, bearing on the history of our departed friend:— "Michael McNamara was born on the Gilmore Creek in 1847, and was brought up in Tumut. On leaving school he worked as an assistant in a local store for about four years, and than he took a lease of the Woolpack inn, which he conducted for twelve years. For four years afterwards he carried on a store in Russell-street, and in 1884 removed to his present premises in Wynyard-street, adjoining the Postoffice. He is a prominent member of the Roman Catholic Church, and is generally esteemed both as a business man and as a private citizen. He was married in 1876 to the daughter of Mr. P. Toohey, of Sydney, and has issue three sons and four daughters. After retiring from business the object of our obituary purchased, at a Government land sale, a fine area of suburban land on a prominent site at the northern end of our town, on which he erected, with assistance, a very comfortable and commodious cottage, now commanding an excellent view of railway station and small township that has been built up surrounding it. The members of deceased's family in order of ages, are— Miss Ethel (in Africa), Frederick J. (Junee), Miss Gertrude (Sydney), Mrs. W. Duck (Junee), John, William (Junee), Miss Bertha, Michael and Mrs. Taylor (Harden). It is a peculiar feature that three others of the same family as the deceased passed away in a somewhat similar manner to the one above recorded. On behalf of our readers we extend sincerest of sympathy to the distracted widow and members of her family over the severe bereavement they have sustained. |