Henry Morris Adams, 74, of Lakewood, previously of Middletown, passed away peacefully Sept. 17. He was born in Champagne, Illinois to the late Henry Washington and Ethlynn (LaForge) Adams and grew up in the West Brighton section of Staten Island. He graduated from P.S. 16, Curtis High School and Wagner College.
As a youth, he was actively involved in Calvary Presbyterian Church. He loved playing all sports and then some quiet time fishing. As a teenager, he developed a passion for pigeons due to helping a neighbor raise and race them. Because of his love of children, he decided on a teaching career. He started his career at P.S. 31, then five years at the District Office, concluding his career at P.S. 69. He taught in the after-school program teaching gym but especially enjoyed teaching cartooning Disney characters.
After retiring he continued teaching as a substitute at Port Monmouth School in Middletown (where he was nicknamed “Super Sub”). He was proud to be an elementary school teacher; he always made learning fun in the classroom – as many former students have stated.
He was a black belt in the Kar Do Jitsu Ryu system and he taught classes in Howell and Brooklyn. He was actively involved in churches both in New Jersey and Florida. He taught Sunday school, was a youth group adviser and participated in the Kairos Prison Ministry (which brought the love of Jesus inside the prison walls). He initiated two Christian-based 12-step programs known as Celebrate Recovery and Overcomer’s Outreach in two different New Jersey churches. His faith and love of the Lord was evident to all who knew him; he was an inspiration!
He spent over 20 years enjoying nature with family members camping in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. As his illnesses progressed and deemed him more sedentary he enjoyed watching his birds in his many birdfeeders and figuring out ways to outsmart the squirrels.
He is predeceased by his brother Joseph Adams. Surviving is his beloved wife Cynthia “Cindy” Adams; his four children Ryan Adams, Scott Adams and his wife Greta, Justine Adams, and Jennifer Eisenhower and her husband Ken; his 12 grandchildren Josh, Owen, Ethan, Gabe, Seth, Ava, Drew, Rainey, Nate, Theo, Evan and Betsy; and his aunt Mildred Apgar.
Visitation was Sept. 23 at the John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank, with a service Sept 24 at the funeral home. Entombment followed at Fair View Cemetery in Middletown.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent in Henry’s memory to American Cancer Society either to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, prostate or pulmonary fibrosis. Please visit Henry’s memorial website available at johnedayfuneralhome.com.
