Kenneth Michael Adams, 83, died peacefully January 9, with his loving wife, Amelia, at his side, in the home he built in Newtown. He was born March 24, 1932, to Kenneth Walter Adams and Arene Agnes Adams.

His wife of 58 years, Amelia Antonia Patrignelli Adams; his children and their spouses, Michael and Christine Adams, Leslie and Jeff Grant, Keith and Denise Adams, Alene and Peter Lofink, Cristi and Tom Dropka, Marc and Charlotte Adams, Jeff Adams and Megan Gossard; and his 14 grandchildren survive Mr Adams.

He grew up in New York City and spent his summers in Mastic, Long Island. After attending Brooklyn Technical High School, he graduated with a degree in industrial design from University of Bridgeport in 1954, and began his long career at Sikorsky Aircraft soon after.

There he met and fell in love with Amelia, and they were married on November 16, 1957, in Bridgeport. Initially a plastics engineer, he was promoted to supervisor of advanced composites, and was awarded several patents for his work.

Mr Adams was always active in sports, and especially enjoyed hockey, softball, and horseshoes. He belonged to several golf leagues. He was one of the founders of the Newtown Hockey and Skating Association, which eventually led to the establishment of Newtown High School’s hockey team. He was a dedicated coach of youth hockey and baseball teams for many years.

Another one of his hobbies was designing and building furniture for his own home and the homes of his family members.

Mr Adams was an active member of St Rose Church in Newtown, where he served as a Eucharistic minister and a religious education instructor. He was also involved with the parish men’s group, as well as a prayer group, which first met at his home. He was involved with The Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship, Marriage Encounter, and Life in the Spirit Seminars.

Known to those around him as Ken, Pops, Papa, Daddy, Grampa, and Coach, he truly loved his family and was happiest when surrounded by the many people that God brought into his life. He will be sadly missed by those whose lives he impacted.

Family and friends may call at the Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown, from 4 to 7 pm, Thursday, January 14, and Friday, January 15. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 am, Saturday, January 16, in St Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church, 46 Church Hill Road, Newtown.

 In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, PO Box 50, Memphis TN 38101­-9929, or online at www.stjude.org.

To leave an online condolence visit www.honanfh.com.