Patrick “Pat” McNamee, age 63, of 206 Willow Street, Gwinn, and former Gladstone resident, died Tuesday afternoon April 26, 2005 at the Marquette General Hospital following a battle with cancer.
Pat was born September 24, 1941, in St. Ignace, MI, the son of Joseph and Myrtle (Halstead) McNamee. He was raised in St. Ignace and on May 30, 1958 married the former Ruth Ann Phelps. Together the couple relocated to Irrigon, Oregon for a period of time before moving to Cheboygan, MI where Pat began working for the Michcon Gas Company. They remained in Cheboygan until 1970, at which time the couple relocated back to the Escanaba/Danforth area where Pat continued his employment for the Michcon Gas Company while raising their family. In 1979, Pat retired from Michcon and he and Ruth moved to Gladstone and together purchased the Arcadia Inn. They owned and operated the Arcadia Inn for 15 years before moving to Rock and then eventually to Gwinn where they have resided since.
Pat was a very accomplished musician performing as the lead singer and lead guitarist for the Stardusters and Helen DeBaker Band. He belonged to various community organizations and enjoyed music, coin collecting, spending time with his family and especially spending time with his grandchildren. Pat was saved from death to life 1 year ago when he received Jesus Christ as his lord and savior. He was filled with his love and peace and was no longer afraid of death or life. He was baptised in obedience to Christ this past Easter. He was a member of the Cornerstone Community Church in Escanaba and has gone home to be with Christ forever more. He will be deeply missed by family and friends.
Survivors include: Pat
Anonymous
Dear Ruth, Vicki, Vince and family,
My deepest sympathy goes out to you. You are in my thoughts and prayers, as Mac has been for some time. May he rest in peace and suffer no more. He will always be “Elvis” to me. We love you.
God Bless You all!
Kerry & Hannah Weber
(Paul & Jan’s daughter & granddaughter)
Madison, WI
Dear Ruth, Vince, Vicky & family, My prayers are with all of you. He was a wonderful man. May God bless all of you during this difficult time. We love you all. Kim Lane-Weber and family.
Kimberly Lane-Weber
Madison, WI
Uncle Pat was a wonderful man. I aways look forward to spending time with him and Aunt Ruth. I spend my summer at there home. The two of them opened there door and there hearts. I will miss him very much.
Susan Huffman (McNamee)
St. Ignace, MI
Dear Ruth, Paul notified us yesterday of Mac’s death. We know what a friend he was to brother Paul and Jan. We offer you and all your loved ones our deepest sympathy and prayers at this sad time.
Mary and Jack Weber
Marquette, MI
Mac and I have been close friends for about 40 years. He and I shared a lot over the years, both good and bad. He was a great friend who I always felt I could share anything with. He and I both suffered from the same afflictions and thus had a unique understanding of each other. He always had a good heart, a good sense of humor and a wonderful personality. Aside from relatives, I always considered Mac my best friend. I really miss him already and will long for his companionship for years to come. I have a great feeling of comfort in that Mac passed on both sober and close to God. I have no doubt that he is now in Paradise with his Maker. I shall never forget him and will always keep him in my heart, thoughts and prayers. I thank God that he is no longer suffering and that he went to everlasting life peacefully. May God continue to Bless him and his family.
Paul Weber
Black River Falls, WI
You had things your way all of your life now God got his way. Rest in peace Pat, from a good friend always. Junior.
James Delmar McIntyre Jr
Deatsville, AL
Dear Ruth and family,
Our family music man is now play his wonderful music for the Lord. One that I will alway remember is when you both were the music for Robin’s wedding and I was walking by the band and Uncle Pat said this song is for my favorite niece and he stated playing you an’t nothing but a hound dog. What a great man I will always love you both very much. Love Susie
Susan Huffman (McNamee)
St. Ignace, MI
We met Pat and Ruth when they lived in Indian River. I baby-sat for them. At the same time we were friends with Jim Soules and Jim Becker who played in a band and one evening when the two Jim’s were coming over we invited Pat and Ruth and the “Starduster’s” were born!! We have followed them whenever possible ever since then. We’ve seen such a wonderful change in Pat since he was saved. He always was a Good Friend and always had a sense of humor but he became a much more peaceful man, a man that you could see and hear the presence of the Holy Spirit in him. We’ve been friends for about 40 years and have seen some very good times and some very bad times but the good times helped to erase the memories of any bad times. Pat’s band played for two of our children’s weddings which will always be a good time to remember. We’ll miss Pat, more than we can say but we know where he is and he isn’t hurting anymore. I’m sure he’s looking out for all of his loved ones now.
Louis and Toni Allain
Cheboygan, MI
The members of Trinity Episcopal Church in Gladstone prayed for Pat and his family during the Sunday Mass. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with you on this day.
Rayford Ray
Episcopal Missioner
Trinity Episcopal Church
Gladstone, MI
Dear Ruth and family,
I have wonderful memories of all the time I spent with you and uncle Pat while I was growing up. Thank you for always being there for me.
All my love,
Dan (Danny)
And our sympathies are with you from our whole family, we were privilaged to meet your family and spend time with you at mom and dad’s reunion.
Thank you for that time.
Dan, Vickie, Shelly, and Launa Peeters
Daniel McNamee (nephew)
Elk Grove, CA
I have so many wonderful memories with Uncle Pat & Aunt Ruth!
Douglas Lake with the band and gogo dancer! Babysitting for Vickie & Pat Jr.(Vincent came later) Playing knee slapping music at my wedding & many weddings. The list goes on and on! When it’s my turn to be with GOD Uncle Pat will be my favorite to greet me in heaven! Love you all so very much!
Jill Krentz (McNamee)
St. Ignace, MI
I have lost a very dear friend in my life and I will never, ever forget him. I will never forget my times with “The Stardusters” Pat and his wife Ruth McNamee who were responsible for keeping me playing music for 27 years. Pat was so talented and one of the best singers and lead guitar players around this area.
Oh how I wish he were here and we all would be planning playing a gig together.
I miss him so much. I cannot even believe this has happened.
It seems like a bad dream I should wake up from.
Heart Broken———-Helen DeBaker
Escanaba, MI
Joe Everson - Green Bay, WI
He will always be remembered, he was a very well accomplished musician, and I will always be thankful for the time I shared as a friend, and was lucky enough to be a part of the band with him, his wonderful wife Ruth, and Helen. Wonderful musician, friend and leader.
Robert Canary (Corwin) - Manistique, MI
After all these years, I find myself here on Uncle Pat’s obituary. Memories of my childhood and never forgotten. Such a wonderful guy who always had a moment for us kids visiting the Danforth area with my parents Dick & Kathy. Aunt Ruth was my inspiration to become a professional drummer and form a band (1984-present)
Uncle Pat was our “Elvis” in the family. He really had class with a drink in one hand cigarette in the other and big shades on He is greatly missed to this day. I must plan a trip to Gwinn to see Ruth soon.