Burgess Estes Macnamara

Burgess Estes Macnamara, 46, beloved son and brother, died suddenly on February 24 in Nashville, Tennessee, passing into the loving arms of the Lord.  Burgess, a Fort Lauderdale native who grew into a star athlete at Nova High School in the 1980s, is survived by mother, Nancy Ellen Estes; father, John Michael Macnamara, and brother, John Graham Macnamara.  Burgess developed a lifelong love of sports at a young age, and encouraged by his family, flourished as a baseball player, following his Nova career by exceling as a pitcher for Miami Dade North, Broward College, and finally, the University of Central Florida. Born on June 1, 1971, Burgess graduated from Nova in 1989, then earned Phi Theta Kappa status in college, graduating with honors and earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Central Florida, where he was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. Burgess followed his parents into the education field, teaching at Oviedo High School and also spending time as an elementary and middle school teacher.  He continued his love of baseball, serving as a pitching coach at Oviedo High School and Rollins College.  At each stage of his life, Burgess made many friends, and he did so again upon his relocation to the Nashville area, where he continued to strive to help others and overcame pancreatic cancer.  In addition to his immediate family, Burgess is survived by cousins, Matthew Fogleson, Christi Seckman, and Hunter Grant; many other loving relatives and countless friends.  He was preceded in death by grandparents, Mary Ann and Robert Estes, and Paula and Elmer Chattin; and cousin, Molly Howe.  Visitation will be held Thursday, March 8, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at T. M. Ralph Plantation Funeral Home.  Funeral Service will be Saturday, March 10, 11:00 AM, at Plantation United Methodist Church, where Burgess served as an acolyte in his youth.  A private burial will be held at Lauderdale Memorial Park Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  Online condolences may be made at tmralph.com. Arrangements entrusted to T. M. Ralph Plantation Funeral Home, 7001 NW 4th Street, Plantation, FL 33317 (954) 587-6888