In Remembrance is an occasional column featuring short obituaries of CAS members who have recently passed away. These obituaries and sometimes longer versions are posted on the CAS website; search for “Obituaries.”
The People (and Dog) Person
James Whisenant (ACAS 1994)
1948–2023
James Clifton Whisenant, known to many friends as “Whiz,” died in Houston at the age of 74. He died in peace with the comfort and love of his family. He was a graduate of Lamar High School and earned his undergraduate degree in 1972 from Rice University. He continued his education attending the University of Houston, earning a post-graduate degree. The degrees earned were in the fields of math and science. One of his professors, Mac, would become his future employer and lifelong friend. His work was his primary passion, but he enjoyed playing music, discussing science and investments, and playing poker with his friends. He would often chat up the guys at the Bernardo Farm and Ranch Supply in Cat Spring, Texas. He delighted in sharing food and wine with friends and family, and he cherished conversations with his stepdaughter Dana. He is preceded in death by his parents, James Lamar Whisenant and Margaret Box Whisenant; and his canine family, Chili, Lucy, Roux and Sacha. He is survived by Brenda Whisenant, his wife; Dana and Ben Bucci, his stepdaughter and son-in-law; Jazz, his best canine friend; and Sous, Dobby and Willis, his “grand puppies.”
A Boy of Summer
Peter A. McNamara (FCAS 2011)
1981-2023
Peter Andrew McNamara, 41, of Wilton, Connecticut, passed away after battling an aggressive form of T-cell lymphoma. He passed peacefully with his loving wife, Meredith, by his side and spent his last days surrounded by close family members. Born in Huntington, New York to John and Carolyn McNamara, he grew up in a house full of love with his brother Stephen, sister Cathryn, identical twin brother James, with whom he shared a very special bond, as well as several adoring dogs and cats. In high school, he enjoyed playing baseball and being a member of the marching band. McNamara earned bachelor’s degrees in mathematics and economics in 2003 from Cornell University. He played the tenor saxophone in Cornell’s Jazz Ensemble. After graduation, he moved to New York City to begin his career as an actuary. During this time, he joined a co-ed softball team (The Bandits) and spent most summer Sunday afternoons playing shortstop in Central Park alongside his closest friends. He served as chief reserving actuary for Axis Capital, where he had been employed since 2010. His first actuarial job was with AIG, where he met his wife. They had four daughters: Lillian Jane (10), Caroline Elizabeth (8), Emily Saralynn (6) and Eleanor Louise (4). In addition to his wife and children, he is survived by his parents; his siblings and their spouses/partners; his parents-in-law; his brother-in-law and his wife; and several nieces and nephews.
