Shrewsbury – Hubert John “Hugh” Adams, Jr., age 85, of Shrewsbury, MA passed away suddenly at his residence on Thursday, February 10, 2022, due to COVID complications. He leaves his loving wife and best friend of 63 years, Helen “Ann” (Aldrich) Adams.
Hugh was born March 17, 1936, in Boston, and raised in Essex, MA by Hubert J. and Katie (Bradley) Adams. A graduate of Gloucester High School, Hugh also received a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Tufts University in 1958, with an NROTC scholarship, and later received an MBA from the University of New Haven.
After college Hugh entered the United States Marine Corps as Second Lieutenant and ultimately attained the rank of Captain. Following an honorable discharge from the Marines in1961, Hugh and Ann moved to Clinton, CT to raise their children. They remained residents of Clinton for 57 years before moving to Southgate retirement community in Shrewsbury, MA in 2018 to be closer to family.
Hugh worked at the Southern New England Telephone Company as a Supervisor in various field and staff positions from 1961 to 1991. After retirement, he continued working as an independent contractor with SNET, as well as Yale University, the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health, and a local garden center.
Hugh devoted much of his time to community service, following the Jaycee Creed that “service to humanity is the greatest work of life”. He served on the Town of Clinton Board of Selectmen and was a long-time member and chairman of the Board of Finance. In 1986 Hugh received the Clinton Chamber of Commerce Person of the Year award. Hugh also volunteered as a math tutor at York Correctional Women’s Prison and Literacy Volunteers of America.
Church was a very important part of Hugh’s life and he served in many capacities at the First Church of Christ in Clinton, CT. He was a loyal fan of UCONN Women’s basketball and loved to grow and arrange flowers. He enjoyed family summer vacations on Cape Cod and walks at Hammonasett Beach throughout the year to admire seasonal changes of the marsh. Hugh was an avid reader and a wonderful writer, penning many essays, letters, stories, and even cookbooks! While at Southgate, Hugh enjoyed gardening and served as Chairman of both the Garden and Buildings & Grounds committees.
In addition to his wife, Hugh leaves behind a son, Christopher Adams, and his wife, Araceli (Beba) Adams; a daughter, Cynthia Adams; two granddaughters, Jessica Beqiri and her husband, Tim Beqiri, and Jennifer Adams; and a grandson, Leo James. He also leaves a brother, Roland Adams and his wife, Jane Adams; two nephews; two grandnephews; two grandnieces; four great-grandchildren, and cousins, Ann Smith of Westwood, MA and Frances Bradley of Kilkenny, Ireland.
A memorial service will be held at First Congregational Church, 19 Church Road, Shrewsbury, MA on Saturday, February 26, 2022 at 11:00 AM. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation may be made in Hugh’s honor to Smilow Cancer Hospital in New Haven, CT or a charity of one’s choice.
Chiampa Funeral Home of Shrewsbury assisted with arrangements.
