Howard C. Adams

Dr. Howard C. Adams Athol – Dr. Howard C. Adams, 93, of Pinedale Road, died Sunday, February 15, 2015 at the Athol Hospital.      Howard was born September 12, 1921 in Millbury, MA, the son of Bertis H. and Edith G. (Simonds) Adams.  He grew up in Millbury where he graduated from high school, going on to Clark University and Middlesex University (now Brandeis University in Waltham) with his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine.   He started his internship in Claremont, NH where he met his wife and after their marriage in 1947 they moved to Athol.        Howard operated Adams Animal Hospital out of his home for 40 years with the assistance of his wife until their retirement in 1987.  He was the animal inspector for the town of Athol, retiring after 57 years at age 91.  He served on the Athol Area YMCA Board of Directors for many years, was a member of the North Quabbin Lodge of Masons A.F. & A.M., Melha Shrine, Sportsman’s Pond Association where he served as president for 10 years, past president of the Massachusetts Veterinary Association, member and second exalted Ruler of the Athol-Orange Lodge of Elks # 1837, one of the founding members of the Petersham Curling Club, long-time member of Camp Cheneo Association and the former Athol-Orange Exchange Club.      Howard was an avid Red Sox fan, enjoyed gardening, cutting firewood, family trips to Drakes Island, ME and especially enjoyed his time with his family and his many dogs and cats through the years.  The eve prior to his death he spent splitting wood for the fire and sat with his loving wife enjoying a manhattan together on Valentine’s Day.      He leaves his loving wife of 67 years, Margaret (Howe) Adams; a son, Scott Adams and his wife Mary of Athol and a daughter, Kim Young and her husband Peter of Holliston; four grandchildren, Kaitlin and her friend Sean Roche, Kelly Peirce and her husband Daryl, Blake Young and Colleen Young and her friend Rob Bowles; a brother-in-law Robert Crecca of Mystic, CT; sister-in-law, Barbara Adams of Westborough and many nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by a son, Brent H. Adams in 1955; a sister, Eleanor Crecca, three brothers, his twin Clayton Adams, Bertis Adams II and Bradford Adams.      A memorial service will be held Friday, February 20, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at Higgins-O’Connor Funeral Home, 146 Main Street, Athol with the Rev. Mark D. Bariloni, pastor of the Athol-Orange Baptist Church officiating.  There are no calling hours and burial will be at Silver Lake Cemetery in the spring.  In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions in Howard’s name be made to the Athol Animal Shelter, for the care of animals, c/o the Athol Police Department, 280 Exchange Street, Athol or the Athol Area YMCA, 545 Main Street, Athol, MA 01331.  For further information or to share a memory with the family go to: www.higginsoconnorfuneralhome.com.   $(document).ready(function(){ });