Frederick "Fred" Ralph Adams

Frederick Ralph “Fred” Adams, age 87, passed away in hospice care on Sunday, July 27, in Canton. Born on June 5, 1938, in Boston, Fred spent his early years in Plympton and Plymouth, MA, the oldest of seven children. He later lived in Abington, and had been a resident of Canton for the last 19 years.

Fred served proudly in the U.S. Marine Corps as an aerial navigator, a role he spoke of often and with deep pride. He loved sharing stories from his time in the service—hanging out of a plane while being held at the ankles to capture the perfect photograph over Cuba; being chased by a guy with a machete when he didn’t want to buy a watermelon in Morocco; meeting Lucky Luciano at a bar in Napoli; and (unofficially) winning a Golden Gloves boxing match.

Fred and Judy were partners in every sense—married for 50 years, but truly side by side in everything they did. They raised a family, tackled countless projects, traveled, and volunteered together. They were two peas in a pod, and their marriage was the heart of his life.

After his military service, Fred built a successful career in computers. In retirement, he and Judy volunteered for over a decade at the Massasoit Senior Computer Learning Center and the Abington and Canton Senior Centers, helping seniors learn to use technology with patience, humor, and a big heart.

Fred was rarely idle. Over the years, the yard and driveway held more than a few fixer-uppers, and it wasn’t unusual to see him lying under the chassis, both legs sticking out. Favorites included the ’65½ Mustang and the Corvair. He could see any old car and tell you the make and the year. He could often be found in his cellar, puttering about on new projects—planting seeds for his summer garden, inventing his hydroponics system, or organizing his old Popular Mechanics—with Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, or the blues playing in the background.

Fred shared that same spirit with his children, especially in the everyday ways that leave the deepest impact—whether it was working in the garden, tackling home repairs, tracing constellations through a telescope on a cold winter night, patiently helping with math homework, teaching the proper form for a shotput throw, or demonstrating how to land a solid left hook. He encouraged them in everything, believed in them without hesitation, and included them in the work and wonder of his world. He was steadfast, funny, and a hero and a rock to anyone who needed one.

He loved peanut butter, long road trips, James Bond movies, spy novels, and anything to do with Nikola Tesla. He played guitar and harmonica. He was fascinated by magnets and solar energy, and built his own radio as a kid. He was frugal and would always fix something old before buying anything new. He could talk to just about anyone. He was the one people called on for help and advice, and he always showed up. And right up until the end, he kept doing his daily dozen, getting in his last set of push-ups like a true Marine. For all these details, it’s still impossible to capture the full measure of who he was. He was steady, generous, endlessly encouraging—the kind of human anyone could look up to.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Judy (née Carmichael), with whom he celebrated 50 years of marriage this year; his children, Jackie and Jeff; his sister Barbara Dalton and brother Steve Adams; his three grandchildren, Jake, Meghan, and Chloe; and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by son, Todd Adams; his sisters Dolly Nash and Janet Obin, and his brother Jonathan Adams.

He was deeply loved and will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Relatives and friends invited to attend a funeral service at the Dockray & Thomas Funeral Home 455 Washington St. Canton Thursday July 31st at 12 noon. Visiting hours prior to the service Thursday morning from 10:00 to 12:00 noon. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Department of Elder and Human Services (500 Pleasant Street, Canton, MA 02021) in honor of Fred’s years of volunteer work.

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