Gary Richard Adams

Gary Richard Adams, 54, of South Street, Roxbury, died at home January 15, after a 15-year battle with melanoma.  He was the husband of Linda (Schlegel) Adams.

Mr Adams was born May 5, 1945 in Long Beach, N.J., son of the late Joseph E. and Marion (Smith) Adams.  He was an independent insurance agent for 25 years and president of Connecticut Insurance Agency, Inc., in Sandy Hook.

He graduated from Booth Free School in Roxbury in 1959 and Washington High School in 1963.  As a student, he played football and soccer and received the Charles McGuiness Award for Excellence in Athletics.  Mr Adams received his bachelor of science in agriculture in 1967 and master of science in agricultural economics in 1969 from the University of Delaware.  He was also a member of Kappa Alpha Fraternity. 

He served in the Army Reserves from 1968 to 1974.  Upon returning to Roxbury in 1971, he became involved with the Roxbury Board of Finance for 18 years, serving as chairman for 12 years.  Mr Adams was a 26-year member of the Roxbury Volunteer Fire Department, serving as chief for five years.  Mr Adams served on the Lake Lillinoah Authority and the Civil Defense Commission.  He was also the 9-1-1 coordinator in Roxbury and worked on the development of a house numbering system.  Mr Adams was also a 40-year member of the Roxbury Congregational Church serving as chairman of the Stewardship Commission, chairman of the Board of Trustees, moderator, vice-moderator and treasurer.  He was an avid photographer who enjoyed skiing and traveling.

Besides his wife of 31 years, he leaves a son, Brian E. Adams of Washington, D.C., a daughter, Kristin J. Adams of Burlington, Vt., two brothers; David E. Adams of Bridgewater, N.J. and Douglas G. Adams of Stowe, Vt.  He was pre-deceased by a son, Scott G. Adams, and a brother, Lee T. Adams.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, January 22 at 11 am at the Roxbury Congregational Church.  Burial will follow at Roxbury Center Cemetery.  Friends may call at the Woodbury Funeral Home of Munson-Lovetere, Main Street South, from 6 to 8 pm on Friday, January 21.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Mr Adams’ name to the New Milford Hospital, Columbia-Presbyterian Regional Cancer Center, c/o New Milford Hospital Foundation, Attn: Shirley Fredlund, 49 East Street, New Milford, CT 06776, or to the Roxbury Congregational Church, 24 Church Street, Roxbury, CT 06783.

The Newtown Bee         January 21, 2000