Tamara , LouisAge 70, of Elmira Heights, NY, passed away on Friday, May 5, 2017 at the Arnot Ogden Medical Center after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born on July 25, 1946 in Elmira, NY to the late Louis M. and Patricia (Liberatore) Tamara. He was predeceased by his sister, Patricia Russick and father and mother-in-law, Frank and Arlene McNamara. Lou is survived by his wife of 45 years, Frances (McNamara) Tamara of Elmira Heights; son, Michael Tamara of Alexandria, VA; daughter, Trisha (Jonathan) Ladley of Ithaca, NY; granddaughter, Alexandra "Lexi" Ladley of Ithaca, NY; sister, Ann (Daryl) Freeman of Pine City; brother-in-law, Stephen Russick of Warrenton, VA; sisters-in-law, Catherine (Richard) Seely of Horseheads and Eileen (William) Blampied of Elmira; along with several nieces and nephews. Lou retired from the Elmira City School District as an art teacher after 31 years of service. His passion throughout his life and retirement was his garden and he enjoyed sharing his plants he started from seed and produce with others. Family and friends are invited to call on Tuesday, May 9th from 5 to 8 p.m. at the James D. Barrett Funeral Home. A prayer service will take place there on Wednesday, May 10th at 11 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 12 p.m. in St. Charles Borromeo Church with Father Scott Kubinski as celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Peter & Paul's Cemetery. The family would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Dayakar Reddy for his care and compassion that was given to them and Lou. Memorial donations can be made to Project Purple NYC Marathon 2017 in c/o Trisha Ladley or there will be information provided at the funeral home for online or in person contributions.