Obituary of John MacDonald Adams

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of John MacDonald Adams at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital, Fredericton, on April 13, 2020, after a short illness. Born on April 11, 1943, he was the son of the late Peggy and Jack Adams of St. Peters, Cape Breton, NS. He is survived by his wife Valerie (White Robinson), his sons Sean, Robert, Christopher and Steven, his step-children Matthew Robinson and Christie (Robinson) Kozier, seven grandchildren and step-grandchildren, his siblings Mary, Sylvia, Jessie, Margaret, Jimmy and Marian, and numerous nephews, nieces, grand-nephews and grand-nieces. He was predeceased by his first wife Susan (Law). John was a proud Cape Bretoner and proud graduate of St. Francis Xavier University (B.Sc.); his X ring was among his most treasured possessions. He also held a B.Ed. from UNB. John was commissioned in the Royal Canadian Navy while still in university. Subsequently he served in the Naval Reserve for 27 years, retiring in 1989 with the rank of Lt. Cmdr., CD. The Navy was always dear to his heart. He started his career teaching mathematics at St. Malachy's in Saint John, then moved to Fredericton to join the New Brunswick Department of Economic Growth in the early 1970s. John remained with the department in various managerial capacities for many years, serving as Director and Executive Director in such areas as trade, marketing, industry services, and trade policy. He was particularly proud of his time spent as Executive Director, Special Projects and Industrial Benefits, negotiating many millions of dollars worth of benefits to provincial companies from such mega-projects as the Fixed Link and the Belledune power station. John married Valerie in August of 1998, and two months later accepted early retirement, after 34 years with the Government. They then spent most winters golfing in Las Cruces, New Mexico, where they made many friends. Golf was a passion for John; he was a long-time member of the Fredericton Golf Club and spent many happy hours on the course in the company of his golfing buddies. Among his proudest accomplishments was the achievement of five holes-in-one -- particularly the one made at a tournament which earned him $10,000! During the off season John could be seen at the YMCA almost every morning, sharing laughs with his "Y" family as he kept in shape for golf. John loved life, he loved to laugh, he loved spending a contented life at home, he loved his family and friends. A special thank you to the staff of the Palliative Care Unit at the DECH, for their empathetic care and kindnesses. A memorial mass for family and invited guests only will be celebrated from St. Dunstan's Catholic Church on October 1, 2020 at 12 pm noon. The service will be live streamed at the following link: https://vimeo.com/459088818 . The interment can be watched at the following link: https://vimeo.com/463887789 For those who wish, donations may be made in John's memory to the Cancer Research Society, Diabetes Canada, or the charity of your choice.