Jacob Adams

Michael Jacob Adams passed away on April 27, 2024, at the age of 52. He is survived by his wife, parents, brothers, and many other beloved family and friends.
Jacob was the beloved husband of Heather, son of Leonard and Phyllis Adams, brother to David (Marci) and Bruce (Eve), brother-in-law to Stefanie (Sharon), and uncle to two nephews, Simon and Freddy, and three nieces, Hannah, Sasha, and Edie. Jacob was born in Chicago, raised in Deerfield, IL, and a proud resident of Rochester, NY.
Jacob will be remembered most especially for his smile, quick wit, and enduring optimism and empathy. He cherished family and friends, weaving strong connections wherever he went. He always put other people first, from advocating for many local and national causes, to being concerned with the well-being of his hospice team. After brushing snow off his car after a long day at work, he'd proceed to do the other cars around him as well.
With a spirited curiosity, Jacob enjoyed his passions. An avid railfan, Jacob loved being trackside and sharing train trips with family and friends all around the globe, including Canada, Switzerland, and Australia. He was always happy to try new foods and new dining experiences, and he was an ardent supporter of local businesses and artisans, whether volunteering at the neighborhood farm market, listening to folk and Celtic music, or seeing movies at the Little Theatre.
Jacob made an impact with so many, both personally and professionally. A childhood cancer survivor, Jacob devoted his research career to advancing knowledge about the long-term cardiovascular health effects of childhood cancer treatments, particularly radiation to the chest. He was an advocate for many causes including children, public health, passenger train service, and the 19th Ward community in Rochester, NY, where he and Heather lived for over 20 years.
Jacob graduated from Washington University (1993), Johns Hopkins Medical School (1997), and completed his medical internship year in Pediatrics at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC). He obtained a Master's in Public Health and then completed a residency in Preventive Medicine at UR. Jacob was the former program director of the General Preventive Medicine and Public Health Residency at URMC. He was actively involved as a Fellow in the American College of Preventive Medicine (ACPM) and other professional organizations devoted to public health and to supporting children and families affected by childhood cancer. Jacob established an endowment to support trainees' participation in the ACPM annual meeting, and served on the board of directors for C.U.R.E. Childhood Cancer Association. A bio about Jacob's involvement in ACPM and the scholarship he established is available at this link.
Jacob exemplified the spirit of Tikkun Olam. He will be dearly missed. May his memory be a blessing.
Funeral Services will be held on TUESDAY April 30, 2024 at 10 AM at Temple B'rith Kodesh (2131 Elmwood Avenue). for a map to Temple.
A procession will follow to White Haven Memorial Park. Please note, that if you decide to join the family at the cemetery, that you should be prepared for uneven terrain and muddy/wet conditions. Please bring appropriate shoes/boots to change into.
For those unable to attend services in person, please to livestream the service.
The family will sit Shiva on Tuesday (April 30th) and Wednesday (May 1st) from 5 – 7 PM in The Adult Lounge at Temple B'rith Kodesh. You may enter via Door I/The West Portico.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Jacob's honor to the American College of Preventive Medicine Jacob and Heather Adams Resident Scholarship Fund (www.acpm.org/), C.U.R.E. Childhood Cancer Association-Rochester (www.curekidscancer.com) or Temple B'rith Kodesh (www.tbk.org)