Dr. Charles
Dr. Charles Richard Patrick Gerard McNamara, of Winter Park, Florida, entered into the presence of the Lord on September 27, 2021, surrounded by his family. Born August 6, 1954, in Melrose, Massachusetts, Charlie was the fifth child of Christine & Dr. Francis McNamara. A 1979 graduate from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston, MA, Charlie’s compassionate practice as an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon was unmatched. He completed two residencies in Anesthesiology and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC. He completed a third residency in Dental Implantology at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, FL. He taught Clinical Oral Surgery at Tufts University and was a Clinical Instructor for the University of Miami Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Charlie eventually settled in Winter Park, FL where he became partner with the Oral & Facial Surgeons of Mid-Florida. He was a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and
Maxillofacial Surgery, and served as the Chairman of the Department of Dentistry for Florida Hospital and Orlando Regional Medical Center. He was also a member of the Board of Directors for the Dental Society of Greater Orlando. More important than being a surgeon, Charlie was a family man. Nothing took priority over being a father, husband and friend. He had that well-known sense of humor and extremely quick wit. He had a listening ear and he always knew how to get the monsters out from under the bed. Charlie loved fly fishing and being a grille master. His day started before sunrise with coffee
www.orlandosentinel.com/obituaries and games of solitaire before work and often ended watching WW II documentaries. He would argue with “Alexa” and challenge contestants on Jeopardy. Charlie was proof that having an extraordinary impact and living an ordinary life are not mutually exclusive. He truly possessed a servant’s heart. Charlie leaves his family with a legacy to be kind, to give of ourselves, to laugh, and when able, to ease the suffering of another. Charlie’s death came suddenly just at the time he was looking forward to retiring, being with his family and watching his precious grandson grow up with “Papa’s” counsel. May our broken hearts be a testament of the love we feel for you.
Charlie is survived by his wife and best friend, Joan McNamara. He leaves behind four children and their spouses: Charles McNamara, Jr. and Sarah Minnis; Muriel Collins and Ryan Collins; Rory McNamara; and Anna Christine Faircloth. He is also survived by his grandson, Charles Collins; his siblings and sisters-in-law, Dr. Francis McNamara and Genevieve McNamara; Paul McNamara and Sam Johnson; Christine “Honey” Haigis; John McNamara and Linda McNamara; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews. Reunited with the family and friends he has not seen in a long time, Charlie is preceded in death by his father and mother, Dr. Francis McNamara and Christine McNamara; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Dr. Grover Smith and Christine Smith; and his brother-in-law, Dr. Michael Smith.
A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, October 16th, at 10am at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Winter Park, Florida. Following the mass, a reception will be held at the University Club of Winter Park from 11 am – 1 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Dr. McNamara’s name to the Semper Fi Fund: https://semperfifund.org/donate/
Online condolences may be offered at: https://baldwincremation.com/obituaries/ charles-mcnamara/