Paul R. McNamara, at 83, worked on Patriot missile

Paul R. McNamara of Melrose died March 18 at the Melrose Wakefield Hospital. He was 83. He was raised in Roxbury. He served in the Air Force.

Mr. McNamara performed engineering work at Raytheon on the Patriot missile defense system, which was used in the Gulf War of 1990 to protect Israel, Saudi Arabia and U.S. troops from missiles launched by Iraq.

He attended trade school in Barre, Vt., at age 56 to learn how to engrave headstones through sandblasting.

Mr. McNamara then opened his own monument company with his wife in Malden, operating it for 10 years. During that time, he sandblasted intricate flower designs, Hebrew lettering and saints on monuments.

In 2005, he and his wife moved to Florida, where they lived for five years and sold condos after Mr. McNamara earned his real estate license.

He took immense pride in being sober and celebrated his 38year anniversary in AA in July 2016.

Mr. McNamara is survived by his wife of 33 years, Lois A. (Goldberg) Karp; a daughter, Kathleen Saviano of New Hampshire; a stepdaughter, Debra Soucy of New Hampshire; a stepson, Jeffrey Karp of West Newbury; a brother, Joseph; and six grandchildren.

A funeral service was held yesterday at the Gately Funeral Home, Melrose.

Burial will be private.