Former Rockford Mayor John McNamara has died at the age of 81. He was also the father of current Mayor Tom McNamara. City Hall and the Morgan Street Bridge will be lit in multiple colors, reflecting the city’s diversity, from Oct. 1 through Oct. 8 in honor of the late mayor. Plans for a visitation will be announced soon.
The City posted the following on its Facebook page a biography and remembrance of the former Mayor:
"John McNamara was born on August 27, 1939, in Whiting, Ind., and graduated from Whiting High School in 1957 where he served as class president during his senior year. He played four sports and participated in numerous clubs and activities including the National Honor Society, Booster Club and Boys’ State. A notation by his yearbook picture read: 'John, our President, is one swell guy; if you know him, then you know why.'
He graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1961 with a bachelor’s degree and then earned his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School in 1964. Following law school, he served his country in the Army, including one tour in Vietnam, before being discharged as a captain in 1966. He then moved to Rockford to serve as Winnebago County second assistant public defender while also beginning a private law practice.
In 1974, John was appointed to the Rockford City Council by then-Mayor Robert McGaw to fill a vacancy in the City’s 3rd Ward -- the same seat that would be held by Tom McNamara from 2013-2017. Not long after joining the City Council, he helped save the life of a man who’d jumped off the State Street Bridge, leaping into the cold Rock River, along with Chief Deputy Circuit Clerk Fred Cooper and 16-year-old Fred Gabbard.
After winning election in 1975 to a full four-year term on the Council, he declined to run again and in 1979 returned to his private law practice. Not long after, however, a group of business and civic leaders urged him to run for mayor. John won a Democratic primary in early 1981 and then beat Norm Kearney in the general election, earning 52 percent of the vote to become Rockford’s 37th mayor. He was sworn in on the same night that current 10th Ward Alderman Frank Beach took office.
Describing himself as 'left of center when it came to social needs, but I try to watch the pocketbook' the new mayor 'inherited a City Hall that has drifted aimlessly,' wrote the Rockford Register Star, with 'a gathering storm cloud threatening Rockford’s health.' He used what he called his 'concern for people and an ability to get along with people' to help bring the community together in what would be its darkest hours.
John led the city through the national recession in 1982-83 which caused a depression in Rockford. The city’s industry was tied to the housing and automobile markets which were struggling nationally and Rockford lost 15,000 jobs, leading to more than 20 percent unemployment. Five percent of the city’s 140,000 population moved away. However, his optimistic and aggressive leadership, and work to reform the way the City did business, helped put the community back on its feet.
He was re-elected in 1985, defeating then-Winnebago County Recorder Eugene Quinn. In his State of the City address in 1986, he reflected on how far the city and its people had come. 'From the depths of the depression we suffered in 1982-83, and amidst the tremendous pressures of lost and eroding financial support, our city has emerged strong, healthy and with a vibrancy and sense of self-worth heretofore lacking. We face the challenges of the 80s in sound financial condition and with a *can do* spirt that is exciting to witness and invigorating to share.'
John served as mayor until 1989, choosing not to seek a third term and endorsing his City Administrator Charles Box, who would go on to become Rockford’s first Black mayor, serving three terms until 2001. After leaving City Hall, John joined William Charles Investments and then served as the Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Rockford University, helping the institution through its own challenging financial times and retiring in 2016.
'My father was a true servant leader. He served his family, his country and his community,' said Mayor Tom McNamara. 'He has been my greatest influence in how I’ve lived my life, how I’ve helped lead our great city and how I want my children to live their lives.'
Mayor John took on some of Rockford’s toughest issues and led the city through some of its bleakest days. His legacy will be one of tackling the toughest challenges, making difficult decisions for the greater good, believing in people as a community’s best asset and fostering a love for family. The entire City of Rockford family extends its sincere condolences to Mayor Tom and Mayor John McNamara’s family. While John will be sorely missed, his impact will be felt in our community for years to come.
In honor of Mayor John McNamara and his fondness for Rockford and a belief in its people, City Hall and the Morgan Street Bridge will be lit in multiple colors, reflecting the city’s diversity, from October 1 through October 8. Plans for a visitation will be announced soon."