Obituary: James Annis Adam, Nuclear Engineer

Obituary from Acton Funeral Home: 

James Annis Adam, 73, of Harvard, formerly of Wellesley, passed away Jan. 2, 2014.

He was husband of the late Evelyn Adam who passed away in 2005 and Patricia Hughes Boudreau. 

Mr. Adam was born in Wellesley to James Adam Jr. and Beatrice (Annis) Adam in 1940. He was the eldest of three children. He was raised in Wellesley where he excelled in school and obtained Eagle Scout rank. Mr. Adam graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst with a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering. He was a member of the University of Massachusetts gymnastic team.

Mr. Adam was commissioned as a naval officer after graduating from the Officer Candidate School in Newport, R.I. in 1963. During Mr. Adam's service in the United States Navy, he taught at the Naval Nuclear Power Training School in Bainbridge, Md. Mr. Adam also attended Northeastern University in Boston and obtained a master's degree in mechanical engineering, and later, an MBA from Babson College.

He started his lifelong career as a nuclear engineer at Stone and Webster Engineering Corporation in Boston in 1967 until his recent retirement in 2013.

James Adam married the late Evelyn Skitzki in 1963 and moved to Bolton in 1971. During the 40 years he lived in Bolton, he served as a Boy Scouts master and was a member of the Bolton Conservation Commission. Mr. Adam was the Treasury of the Northeastern Section of the American Nuclear Society. James Adam married Patricia Boudreau in 2009 and they settled in Harvard.

He was an avid runner who ran in many marathons and other long distance races. He also enjoyed nature and loved to do many outdoor activities that included snow skiing, cross country skiing, hiking, camping and kayaking. James also traveled to many places around the world.

In addition to his wife and sister, Jim Adam is survived by his children Jeffery K. Adam of Hope Mills, N.C., Michael S. Adam and his wife Nita of Katy, Texas and his daughter Rebecca Tremblay of Merrimack, N.H.; his grandchildren Darren S., Lyndon C. and Alayna M. Adam; his step-grandchildren, Adam and Jess Taberner; his step-children Ryan P. Boudreau of Ashland and Renee B. Cather of Thetford Center, Vt.; and his sister, Martha (Adam) Colwell of Plainville. He was preceded in death by his brother, Douglas Adam. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to benefit the Hematology-Oncology Department at the Beth Israel Cancer Center. Checks are payable to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Attn. Development Office, 300 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02115. On the memo line, add "In memory of James Adam to benefit Hemalotogy-Oncology;" or donate online at www.bidmc.org/. Memorial gifts to Mass Audubon Society, Attn. Development Office, 208 South Great Road, Lincoln, MA 01773, online at www.massaudubon.org are also appreciated.