Earl Francis Adams passed away suddenly at his home in Kennebunk on Sunday. Earl was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts on August 20th 1933. He is survived by his wife Shelia (Gaine) of 57 years, his seven children Michael, Kevin, Brian, Ann (Bilodeau), Kate (Gendreau), John and Maureen (Weaver), his 22 grandchildren, and his younger brother George Adams of Woburn, MA. Earl graduated from Woburn High School in 1951 where he served as class president and captain of his football team, the Tanners. He was a member of the US Army’s ROTC program in order to work his way through Northeastern University, earning a B.S. in Electrical Engineering in 1956. He was honorably discharged from the US Army after attaining the rank of First Lieutenant and serving as instructor in the Radar School with the Signal Corps. It was while in the service of his country at Ft. Monmouth (NJ) that he met the love of his life, Shelia Gaine of Kenmare, Ireland in 1957. He was married later that year in October in New Jersey. Earl and Shelia honeymooned in Cape Cod before residing in Woburn, MA where Earl took up employment with The Raytheon Company. At Raytheon, Earl was responsible for developing the US Navy’s AEGIS Weapons Systems. Earl also served on the Woburn School Board of Education. In 1962, Earl was awarded the Young Man of the Year Award by Woburn Junior Chamber of Commerce in recognition of his distinguished service to the community. Earl earned a Masters Degree from Northeastern University in Engineering Management in 1963. In 1972, Earl retired from Raytheon and moved to 20 Summer Street, Kennebunk, Maine where he began a new career in Real Estate. He worked as a Broker with Drown Agency in Wells before founding Shore Realty in Ogunquit. In later years he worked with Winston Realty, Masiello Group and most recently working with his daughter Maureen at Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty in Lower Village, Kennebunk. Earl developed numerous residential properties in Southern Maine, sold hundreds of houses and helped many people while serving the community as a real estate broker for over 42 years. In 1982, Earl purchased The Nonantum Resort and built The Portside on Ocean Avenue, Kennebunkport. Earl was elected to the Kennebunk School Committee where he served with distinction and oversaw the expansion of the school district’s sports programs. Earl attended Mass daily and was a dedicated husband and father. He loved the Red Sox, movies, Ireland, Kennebunk Football, but most of all his children, his grandchildren and his beloved wife Shelia. May he rest in Peace.
Friends may call Thursday, August 21, 2014 from 2-4PM and 6-8PM at Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer Street, Kennebunk, ME. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10AM on Friday, August 22, 2014 at Holy Spirit Parish - St. Martha’s Church, Portland Road, Kennebunk. Interment will follow at Hope Cemetery.
Should friends desire, donations in Earl’s memory can be made to: Kennebunk Community Food Pantry, c/o Church Community Outreach Services, PO Box 1175, Kennebunk, ME 04043.

Arrangements are in care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer Street, Kennebunk.