Carl R. Adams Sr.

of Westminster; 84
Train Conductor for Boston & Maine Railroad

WESTMINSTER -- Carl R. Adams Sr., 84, of Westminster, died peacefully Wednesday, February 15, 2012, at his daughter's home in Gautier, Mississippi surrounded by loving family.

Mr. Adams was born in Brookline, MA on September 13, 1927, son of Carl V. and Anne M. (West) Adams, and had resided in Westminster for 58 years. He was a 1945 graduate of Rindge Tech High School, in Cambridge, MA, serving as class president and captain of the football team.

Carl served in the United States Navy during WWII, and was stationed in Bainbridge, MD where he met his future wife, Ruth.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Ruth B. (Burton) Adams; three sons and three daughters, Carl R. Jr. and his wife, Susan Adams of Westminster, Ruthanne Adams of Gautier, MS, John Adams of Lancaster, MA, Janet Nikitas and her husband, Richard of Leominster, MA, Joseph Adams of Pepperell, MA, and Laure Ciccolini and her husband, Robert of Westminster; 15 grandchildren, Sarah, Leslie, Meghan, Jake, Cheynne, Caitlin, Jackie, Deborah, Andrea, Matthew, Gregory, Michael, Nicco, Isabella and Gabriella, and eight great-grandchildren; two sisters, Marjorie Leandro of Nashua, NH, and Patricia Keefe of Milford, MA; many cousins, nieces and nephews; as well as many friends.

He was predeceased by his granddaughter, Chelsea Adams.

He worked for 35 years as a conductor and brakeman for the Boston and Maine RR/Amtrak, retiring in 1987.

Carl grew up in Cambridge, MA. At the age of 12, he left home every summer to attend caddy camp at the Balsams Resort, where he developed a love of golf that he passed on to his family. He was a member of the Westminster Country Club where he was known as "Captain Carl".

He was an active member of St. Edward the Confessor Church in Westminster. He was instrumental in the formation of the Westminster Parks and Recreation Commission where he coached Little League and Babe Ruth teams over the course of 45 years. He was a baseball and football fan with a passion for politics. He loved his family, was devoted to his faith, and led an altruistic life, always giving of himself to others. A self-taught boogie-woogie player, he enjoyed playing cards with his family, and tending birds in the backyard. He touched the lives of everyone he knew.

His motto was "be kind to each other." His smile, laughter, and unselfish love will live our hearts forever.

ADAMS -- A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 o'clock on Friday, February 24, 2012 in St. Edward the Confessor Church in Westminster. Calling hours will be held in Brandon Funeral Home, 305 Wanoosnoc Rd., Fitchburg on Thursday, February 23 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Carl R. Adams Memorial Fund at The Smile Train, www.smiletrain.org, an organization that provides cleft lip and palate repair for children in developing countries. The family would like to thank all of his doctors, nurses, and office staff who were so kind and patient with him over the years.