Reverend Monsignor Charles W. Mcnamee

Rockford--Reverend Monsignor Charles W. McNamee, JCL, STL, PA, died at Presence Cor Mariae Center, Rockford, where he was a resident on Friday, March 13, 2015. Monsignor was born on July 2, 1924, in Chicago, Illinois, to Charles J. and Loretta (Emond) McNamee.

Monsignor McNamee attended Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary, Chicago, St. Mary of the Lake Seminary, Mundelein, and St. Mary Seminary, Baltimore, being ordained on May 20, 1950, by Bishop John J. Boylan at St. Patrick Church, Dixon. He furthered his studies and received a Master of Education from Loyola University, Chicago in 1959 and a Licentiate in Canon Law (cum laude) from Rome in 1980. He was appointed Prelate of Honor (Monsignor) by Pope John Paul II on November 14, 1994, and later Protonotary Apostolic Supernumerary by Pope John Paul II on May 11, 1999. His first assignment was as Parochial Vicar at the Cathedral of St. Peter, Rockford (6/1950-1/1951). He then was assigned to St. Laurence Church, Elgin and a member of the faculty then Asst. Superintendent at St. Edward CCHS, Elgin (1/1951-6/1963); Chaplain for the Boy Scouts of America (9/1954-present); Pastor, St. Mary Parish, Morrison (6/1963-7/1966) and Faculty of Newman CCHS, Sterling; Pastor, St. Andrew, Rock Falls (7/1966-6/1968); Faculty, Boylan CCHS, Rockford; Pastor, St. Mary, Pecatonica (6/1968-6/1969); Advocate, Defender, Judge, Auditor, Promoter of Justice for the Diocesan Tribunal (11/1966-7/1999); Chaplain Mt. St. Francis Convent, Rockford (10/1970-1/1976); Associate Director of Catholic Cemeteries (6/1985-7/1999); Chancellor (10/1986-7/1999); Censor Librorum for the Diocese. Monsignor was known to the Boy Scouts as “Father Mac”. He was on the Executive Board of the Blackhawk Boy Scout Council and Chaplain at the summer camps at Camp Lowden. Monsignor was given the highest Scouting Award that a Council could give – the Silver Beaver Award. He was also given by the Diocese the St. George Award and the Bronze Pelican Award for scouting. Monsignor retired from active ministry in July, 1999, but continued weekend assistance to Holy Spirit Parish, Roscoe and the Boy Scouts.

Monsignor is survived by his sister Loretta McNamee, Crystal Lake and many cousins, brother priests and special friends. He is predeceased by his parents, sister, Sister Rose McNamee, BVM and brother William.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, March 20, 2015, at 11:00AM at the Cathedral of St. Peter, 1243 N. Church Street, Rockford. Visitation will be from 4PM-7PM Thursday, March 19 at the church with rosary at 7:00PM and visitation from 10:00AM-10:45AM at the church prior to the Mass. Interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery, Elgin, Illinois. Arrangements are being made by Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Rockford, Illinois. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Blackhawk Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, 2820 McFarland Road, Rockford, Il 61107. Express online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.