Francis J. McNamara, Jr., of Melrose and Rockport, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 1st, 2025 surrounded by his loving family. He was 85.

Dr. McNamara was born in Melrose on October 4, 1940 to the late Francis J. McNamara, Sr., MD, and his wife Christine (Byrnes) McNamara. Frank graduated from Boston College High School in 1958, Boston College in 1962, Tufts Dental School in 1966, and completed his oral surgery residency at the US Veterans Administration Hospital. He was an assistant clinical professor at Tufts Dental School for thirty years, he served as the Chair of the Eastern Massachusetts Dental Society, and he was the only Oral Surgeon to ever be President of the Medical Staff at Melrose Wakefield Hospital. He was a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and a Founder in the American College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Frank opened his Oral and Maxillofacial practice on Main Street in Melrose and was a fixture there for over 45 years.

Frank shared 59 years of loving marriage with his beloved Genevieve (Abbot) McNamara. Together they built a family that was grounded in faith, love, and laughter. His family meant everything to him. He is survived by daughters Elizabeth McNamara Liwo and her husband Karl, Kathleen McNamara Liakos and her husband Gregory, and his son Christopher F. McNamara, Esq. and his wife Giuseppina DiSisto. He was beyond proud of his grandchildren David F. Liakos, PhD., Madeline Liakos Higgins, LICSW, Lt. Brian P. Liwo, USN, and Christopher J. McNamara, and Giulia McNamara. He would talk endlessly about their accomplishments, athletics, and intelligence.

He was predeceased by his parents and his brother Charles R. McNamara, DMD. He will be dearly missed by his siblings Paul J. McNamara and partner Sam Johnson, Christine Haigis, John G. McNamara and his wife Linda McNamara, and his sister in law Joan McNamara. He also leaves behind his aunt Patricia Parent. He is survived by many wonderful cousins, nieces and nephews.

Frank lived a life rooted in faith, humility, and compassion. A devoted member of the Catholic Church, and a parishioner of Incarnation Church in Melrose and Saint Joachim in Rockport, Frank found strength and guidance through the sacraments, daily prayer, and unwavering trust in God's divine plan. He was a servant of the Lord and lived a life deeply rooted in the Word of God. The Bible was not just a book to Frank, it was a way of life. He embodied God's promise and every day lived his life in resolute faith.

Frank was loved by his patients and his office staff because of his kindness and empathy. He used his talents wherever he could to help make life better for others. He volunteered for ten years offering his dental expertise at Lazarus House in Lawrence. He had a passion for helping the poor and made over twenty medical mission trips to the Dominican Republic offering dental surgery to the people of Cevicos and assisting the Las Hermanas Dominicas del Rosario de Fátima. In his younger days he was a fierce competitor on the tennis court and golf course. He was a long time member of Bellevue Golf Club and always enjoyed his Tuesday Night League games with his brother John and his son Chris. He was an ardent Boston sports fan and loved watching his Bruins, Patriots and Red Sox with family. He also enjoyed thrifting with his daughter Kathleen at Second Glance Thrift Shop to support the Open Door/Cape Ann Food Pantry.

Frank's family will keep his legacy of warmth and caring alive. He quietly helped many people in their time of need. His generosity was a testament to the man he was and to all that knew him. We will follow his humble and quiet example of faith far into the future.

Visiting Hours will be held from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM on Sunday, November 9th, 2025, at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St., Melrose. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday, November 10th, 2025 at Incarnation Church, 425 Upham St., Melrose. Interment to follow the mass at Wyoming Cemetery, 205 Sylvan St., Melrose. Relatives & friends are respectfully invited to attend.

In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate a donation to The Open Door/Cape Ann Food Pantry, Inc. https://foodpantry.org/