Thomas Patrick McNamara

Thomas Patrick McNamara, aka "Chico" was born on February 14, 1954, in Mesa Arizona. He was the second of 4 boys born to Daniel Richard McNamara and Joan Louise McNamara (Crossley). Michael was his older brother and Jim and David were his younger brothers. Chico was preceded in death by his parents and brother Jim.

Shortly after he was born his parents moved their family to Wisconsin, where his father was born and raised. Chico's brothers Jim and David were both born in Wisconsin.

Chico completed his elementary and high school education in Montello Wisconsin, which is a small town 50 miles north of Madison. He obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in 1976.

When Chico was in high school he started working at the local Chevrolet dealership which fueled his love of Chevrolet automobiles. He continued to work at the dealership through college on the weekends. Anyone that knew Chico knew that he was biased in favor of Chevy’s and against Fords.

After college, he moved to California and worked various jobs including driving cars through the bidding lanes on auction day at the Los Angeles Auto auction. One of his friends got him a full-time job and that started his lifelong career in the car industry. After leaving the Los Angeles Auto Auction, he worked at another auction for a short period of time, before beginning his work as a car wholesaler. He continued that work until shortly before his cancer diagnosis and eventual death.

Anyone who knew Chico was immediately amazed by his knowledge of cars and not just certain cars, but all cars. He could tell you the value of a car whether it was a newer model or vintage car. He truly loved the automobile industry and all vehicles.

At some point, he developed a love of drag racing and owned multiple drag racing cars. Not only did he love racing the cars, but he also loved the atmosphere and any chance to be around other car lovers and drag racers.

He was the picture of the person who would give the shirt off his back to help a friend and he did so on many occasions. If you were is friend or acquaintance and in need, Chico was always there to help out.

Chico never had children of his own, but his ex-wife had a daughter, Michelle Hirlston, who Chico kept in contact with long after his divorce. He loved his family and was always there to help out anyone, family or not. He often joked that he had many wives and identified the various cars that he owned.

In addition to his stepdaughter, Chico is survived by his two brothers, Mike and David (Gina, and their four children), and his niece, Erica McNamara-Guerra, (Abel and their four children).

A celebration of life is scheduled for Monday, February 14, 2022, at 3 pm. at the Doubletree by Hilton Ontario Airport, 222 N. Vineyard Ave., Ontario, CA 91764<https://www.google.com/maps/search/222+N.+Vineyard+Ave.,+Ontario,+CA+91764?entry=gmail&source=g>.

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