Philip Adams

We are heartbroken to announce that Philip Adams, 88, of Glenville, passed away on October 24, 2022 at home. He was born and raised in Hagerstown, Maryland to the late George I. and Kathryn (nee Myers) Adams. He was their only child.

He attended Johns Hopkins University on a full scholarship, and graduated from their School of Engineering. He met his wife Jo in 1956 at Hopkins where she was taking night courses. His work with the American Bridge Division of U.S. Steel and with General Electric Company took him to many projects in many locations in the United States and other countries all over the world.

Surprisingly, he liked to travel on vacations too, and often invited extended family and friends along. His daughter Amy was a valuable translator often. He fished the Potomac and its estuaries from childhood, and with his sons, rivers and streams in Canada and Alaska. He was a woodworker - receiving tools from his parents on birthdays and Christmas as a child.

After marrying, he built their first house , and continued to build furniture as their children arrived. He built a dinghy-class sailboat while Jo read to him from a story about a trans-Atlantic dinghy journey. The Crab Cake stayed in freshwater lakes. One of his most recent projects was to turn 17 wands for Mrs Wilson's 3rd grade class in Kittery, Maine. In addition to magic wands, he made back-scratchers that won him an Honorable Mention from the Northeast Woodworkers Association Showcase in 2011. He cherished the ribbon. In recent years Phil has accompanied his friend Dr Carl George who has been working on a long term study of agricultural ecology in Montgomery County. In retirement Phil volunteered to help create classes at the Union College Academy of Lifelong Learning (UCALL) for several years. He helped to survey, repair trails, and build sign-in boxes for the Nature Conservancy. He helped to build a utility shed and kiosk for the Kelly Adirondack Center and the Riest Sanctuary, and to find current events speakers for Schenectady Torch Club dinners.

In addition to his parents, Phil's lifelong friends Philip Bikle and Philip Myerly predeceased him. He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years Jo, and their three children: Amy Adams (Alex), Kirk Adams, Carl Adams (Phyllis), and two grandchildren Deanna and Ben Adams.
Neighbors and friends have been especially helpful and kind during Phil's infirmity. His cherished kids, grand-daughter, and daughters-in-law, were supportive and there for both their parents. Phil loved his family all his life. We will miss him for the rest of our lives.

Phil and Jo donated to many charities. For memorials, suggested local ones include: Schenectady City Mission, 425 Hamilton St., Schenectady, NY 12305, the SiCM Food Pantry, 839 Albany St., Schenectady, NY 12307, and the Schenectady County Public Library, 99 Clinton St., Schenectady 12305, or any animal rescue organization. Phil especially loved dogs, cats birds, elephants, and donkeys. The Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue, P.O. Box 5741, San Angelo, Texas 76902.

Services will be private. To leave a special message for the family online, please
visit www.NewcomerAlbany.com.