Gilford, NH----- Lawrence J. McAdams Jr. 87 of 83 Heights Road, Gilford, NH died at the Golden View Health Care Center, Meredith on Saturday February 19, 2011. He was born March 31, 1923 in Boston, Mass. the son of Lawrence J. and Mary Ann (Lennon) McAdams, Sr.
Mr. McAdams gradated from Boston English High School in 1941. He served in the US Navy during WWII and was on the USS Luzon in the Pacific as a Machinist’s Mate First Class.
Mr. McAdams was a firefighter for the Boston Fire Department from 1946 until 1981. During his time with the fire department he served on the Fire Boat, Ladder 8 and was Captain of Rescue-I at the Oliver Street Station. His father Lawrence J. McAdams, Sr. was also a Captain on the Boston Fire Dept. from 1912-1958. Lawrence was extremely proud that his grandson, Keith Lawrence Espinola, recently began his career with the Boston Fire Dept. on January 25, 2011.
Lawrence was a devoted Catholic and served as an alter boy as a youngster at St. Gregory’s Church in Dorchester, Mass. Most recently he was a communicant of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Meredith, NH.
Lawrence was a loving and devoted son, brother, husband, father and grandfather. He was proud and honored to be a public servant for the City of Boston. He lived by example through the value of hard work. He gave all he could to his daughters and was very proud that all his girls successfully graduated from college. He loved summers and spent them boating on Lake Winnipesaukee in NH. Upon his retirement he wintered with his wife in North Port, Fla. He was a fan of the Boston Red Sox and the Boston Bruins. He loved working in his woodshop, his dogs and had many favorite canine companions throughout his life. He will be greatly missed.
Survivors include his wife of 62 years Ruth Alice (Stanton) McAdams of Gilford; 3 daughters Donna McAdams of Escondido, CA, Cynthia (McAdams) Espinola of Andover, Mass. and Patricia McAdams Temperino of Plymouth, NH; 7 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren and 2 nieces. Beside his parents he was predeceased by a sister Rita McAdams Todd and his niece Carol Ann Todd.
There are no calling hours.
A Memorial Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated in St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church Rt. 25 Meredith on Thursday February 24, 2011 at 11:00 AM.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Community Health & Hospice 780 North Main Street, Laconia, NH 03246 or the Boston Firefighters Fund 55 Hallet Street, Boston, MA 02124.
The Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia NH is in charge of the arrangements. For more information and to view an on line memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.