Sqn Ldr Pete McNamara
 

Following the sad death of Sqn Ldr Peter McNamara at St Michaels’ Hospice, Harrogate, after a protracted battle with cancer, a Funeral will be held at Ripon Cathedral on Tuesday 24 March 2009 at 1200 followed by a Reception in the Officers’ Mess, RAF Leeming at 1400. For further information please contact Rich Crook on 01677 457959. Our thoughts are with Pete's family at this time.

OC 100 Sqn

God Bless you M². An exceptionally talented pilot, instructor, officer and joker!

I know that he hadn't been well for a while now but it still doesn't soften the blow. My deepest condolences to the family.

Per ardua...

LJ

When they made M2 they really broke the mould, a true gent and totally barking mad with it. Often heard shouting across the pan, at aircrew, groundcrew or anyone he felt like ... “you sir, have the buttocks of a young antelope”, or bursting into the line office with a booming “morning spanner god’s” he was one in a million and will be sadly missed.
I count myself lucky that I had the opportunity not only to work with him, but to socialise with him and above all to call him a friend, wherever he is now, I bet he’s got them in stitches already.

I will raise a glass tonight, god bless you Pete.

RIP Uncle Pete,

From one of your 'muppets' of Finningley,
You'll be missed greatly dear chap.:sad:
God Speed....

Craven

Another one of the good guys - a true character. RIP

M2 was a true and honest pilot who made holding at the Boneyard all the more enjoyable. Rigger 1's quotes bring back happy memories of sharing time with Pete on the Sqn. His tourettes (spellign?!) was legendary and always made me smile!

God will have his work cut out with you up there now Pete - can see you making an amusing comment to St Peter as you arrived at the Pearly Gates!

Per Ardua.....

My thoughts and prayers with his family.

30 mRad

Pete-Mac was a great character - he will undoubtedly be sorely missed.

Of that generation whose colourful, fun loving characters weren't stifled by timid, selfish 'leaders' full of self-importance.

Have a good few ales up in that celestial Pigs' Bar, Pete.....:ok:

Gutted
 

M2 was one of a kind, I shared many many happy, funny and down right ludicrous times with Pete....more than I truly want to think about at the moment.

I too am honoured to have called M2 a friend.

The Mrs and I will be thinking of Sue and raising a glass or two in Pete's memory tonight

God speed old fella.

M2
 

So sorry to hear this very sad news. What a fantastic character and a real breath of fresh air in a world sometimes so full of 'stuffed shirts'. I smile just thinking about him - good folks are scarce.

Condolences to Sue and his family. I'll raise a glass and toast his memory.

Per Ardua.

WJMcP

My own favourite M2 moment was him briefing the rest of the instructors on the F4 OCU on the newly arrived course, of which he was Course Commander.

'...& Bloggs. TWU say he's a bit of a training risk, lacks fuel awareness, & a bit of a bull****ter.'

Boss, ' Well you met them in the Mess last night M2, what's your first impression?'

M2 ' Well he's got one of those faces that you just want to hit!'

No sense for next 5 mins as everyone rolled around the floor!

M2 - what a class act he was!

Skid

M2 - students' friend on the F4 OCU and there were not many! True gent, one of the best 'banterers' I have met and his message to all of us was -
" flying FJs, get ahead and stay ahead".

Condolences to his family during this very sad time.

Tragic.

Pete and I went through IOT together. He kept us all sane and was a great source of amusement. As has been said, he was a true Gentleman. Not only a friend but someone I thoroughly enjoyed working with through the years.

Rest in Peace mate.

Gibbo

So sorry to hear the news. I was taking my Master for his lunchtime stroll the other day and he told me he was thinking back to all the good times.

He told me that M2 was so much more than just your average AD mate, especially for an ex-winch weight! M2 was an incredibly capable operator, and, as an instructor, always had the best interests of 'the muppets' at heart ;). He cared passionately for his charges, and always went the extra mile to give the students the best possible training (he even managed to explain the use of the vertical to a died-in-the-wool mud-mover like my Master when teaching him how to teach BFMs!) M2 was a consummate professional and a tireless worker, and even found time to be the non-PC joker that we all aspire to be :ok:. Above all else, M2 was a character, and the RAF is a poorer place without his ilk, long may his legacy (and sense of fun) endure. Pete has gone way too soon and will be sadly missed.

Many on this site may think that they did not even know Pete, but I can assure you that he was a frequent visitor here (as Stillin1), where either his sense of humour, pithy wit or voice of reason could often be heard. He was also a friend of the 'puddle-jumping' community, flying his Europa around the bazaars and generally abusing the ATC fraternity :D when not doing the day job.

Deepest condolences to Sue, it must have been an arduous and distressing time over the past couple of years, you were a pillar of strengthy to Pete when his health (but never his wit) was failing him.

M2 - you are truly an AD God, now if you could just take the angels aside and sort out their BFMs too :eek: !

RIP mate, like many others here, I'm proud to say that I have known you.

In the air a total professional, on the ground one of the finest Gentlemen Officers that has ever served in the Royal Air Force.

The navs were the lucky ones though - we got to fly with him!

A long cruel illness bourne with the most incredible courage and dignity.

Rest in Peace M2. It was a privilege to fly with you.

Knew M2 all too briefly when on 23 Sqn at MPA. A true gent, one of the funniest guys I ever met and he remembered me even years later when I had reason to contact him from 39 sqn when he was running the desk at 100. His jovial, " Hey, Bruv" is never to be forgotten.

Been out for ages, and it was 1986 when I knew him but I am certain the world will be a worse place without him.

Sincere condolences to family and friends.

Doc C

One of the last old school 'Officer and Gentleman'. You were a first class chap M2, and you always always put your men first. The RAF is poorer for your absence. Sincere condolences to all family, for your loss of a much loved and respected man.

RIP Mac

May i offer my condolences to all M2's family and friends on behalf of the FC community. As a student controlling him at 100, FC working with him at MPA and then as a Instructor on the school, working with him was always a pleasure. His airbourne alpha control debriefs were legendary and made the job of instructing a breeze (god knows i needed the help!) The airways have been a little less fun without him.

"ID one hawk passing 1000 feet over me, 100 knots slower,.......perhaps a little less speed next time Buchan" Legend.

What a star this man was. He was one of the few friendly faces when I first arrived on the Squadron. Very grateful to have served and flown with him. He will certainly be missed for his dry wit, his expertise and doubtless the many other facets that made him a top class aviator and gentleman.

I had the pleasure of speaking to M2 whilst Air Trafficking at Leeming. Note how I didn't say 'controlling' M2 as you couldn't. He was always curteous, forgiving of ab initio errors, and never failed to raise a smile when he transmitted the entire air picture and informed you where he was going to fit into it. Usually right, always well mannered forced the odd belly laugh when the odd word just floated over the ether in an unmistakeable voice.

A pleasure to have known you, Sir.

My utter heartfelt condolences to his family. He touched many people he was probably never aware of.

M2
 

All,

Please accept my thanks for your comments. Of course, one thing stands out here and it is Pete’s remarkable sense of humour..! I know, Sue is also reflecting on these anecdotes so please keep posting if you have a good one. All the best,

OC Ton