Msgr. John Peter McNamara, 85, died Aug. 9 at Holy Family Villa in Palos Park. He was pastor emeritus of St. Theresa, Palatine.

Born in Chicago’s St. Kilian Parish, he attended St. Carthage School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary. He was ordained in 1956.

He served as assistant pastor of Holy Name Cathedral (1956- 1963), St. Bride (1963- 1968), St. Helena of the Cross (1968-1970) and Divine Providence, Westchester (1975- 1979). He was pastor at St. Bernard (1970- 1975), St. Symphorosa (1980-1991); and St. Theresa, Palatine (1992-2001). He was named pastor emeritus of St. Theresa when he retired in 2001.

Retired Auxiliary Bishop Raymond Goedert noted that Msgr. McNamara’s was one of the first residents of the Bishop Timothy J. Lyne Residence for Retired Priests in Palos Park. He said, “A noteworthy fact is the care Msgr. McNamara’s showed his brother priests at the Bishop Lyne Home. He was among the first group who went there when it opened and he became the primary person to oversee the program. Msgr. McNamara remained very dedicated to that program until the end.”

Msgr. McNamara is survived by a sister, Nancy Grant.