It is our sad duty to announce the passing of Francis G. Adams Sr., Past Grand Lecturing Knight, Past State President from New London Lodge No. 360.
The following appears courtesy of The Day (published July 19, 2023);
Francis G. Adams Sr, of 30 Old Black Point Road died peacefully Saturday morning, July 15, 2023, at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London. He was 104 years old. Francis was born in Hillsgrove, R.I., May 28, 1919, to Alida Vincent Adams. Her husband (his father) died of Spanish Flu Jan. 1, 1919, five months before Francis was born. He was the fourth of Alida’s seven children.
Francis was married to Virginia Burge, setting a beautiful example of love and devotion for over 76 years. Theirs was a love story for the ages, meeting as teens, falling in love, staying in love and starting a family that grew beyond their wildest expectations. Virginia passed away Jan. 19, 2014. Francis worked at John J. Doyle Sand and Gravel Company for 40 years, where he became president of the company and eventually a partner. He served as the president of the Connecticut Ready Mixed Concrete Association during the oil embargo in the mid 1970s and was a voice for change and energy conservation in his industry during the energy crisis.
For many years Francis was a dedicated leader of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He was a member of the New London Lodge #360 for seventy-two years, serving as the Exalted Ruler from 1969-1970, President of the State Elks Association, and Esteemed Lecturing Knight of the Grand Lodge, national level of service. Francis was a devout Catholic and a long-time member of the Knights of Columbus Council #5633 in Niantic. A seventy-year member of St. Agnes Church, he served on the parish council and was a regular volunteer as usher at Sunday Masses.
Francis is survived by two sons, Francis G. Adams Jr. of Old Saybrook, and Richard A. Adams of Niantic. He was predeceased by his daughter-in-law Carol (Honey) Adams, the wife of Francis Jr. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Francis “Skip” Adams III (Nancy), David M. Adams, Daniel R. Adams (Barbara), James P. Adams (Allene), Carol A. Adams (William Donovan), Jennifer Doraz (Christopher), and Seth C. Adams (Catherine). He is also survived by 23 great-grandchildren and 20 great-great-grandchildren all of whom cherished their “Grampy.” In addition to his wife, Francis was predeceased by six beloved siblings: older brothers, Robert (Mary), William (Isabelle), and Vincent (Viola) Adams; younger sisters, Elizabeth Mason (Edward), Janet Swanson (Roland), and Vera Cotnoir (Armand). Anyone who knew him could attest that it was time with his wife and children, siblings, grandchildren, and his multitude of nieces and nephews that always made him the happiest. Family was everything to him.
The family of Francis Adams Sr. would like to express its appreciation to the Visiting Nurses Association of SE Connecticut for their compassionate and effective care for him. The family also appreciates the many hours of care and kindness of Enunye “Ven” Djentuh who was his full-time caregiver at home.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 a.m. Friday, July 21, 2023, at St. Agnes Church, 22 Haigh Avenue in Niantic. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in New London. Gifts in honor of Francis G. Adams Sr. can be made to the following: Visiting Nurses of SE Connecticut, 463 North Frontage Rd Waterford, CT 06385 (https://www.vnasc.org); Elks National Foundation, 2750 N. Lakeview Ave., Chicago, Illinois 60614-2256 (https://www.elks.org).
The Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home of Niantic is assisting the family.