Gordon Welsh Adams, 80, of Middletown, husband of 37 years, Kathryn (Hruniak) Adams, passed away peacefully at home on August 24, 2019. Born in Philadelphia, PA, he was the son of the late Henry H. and Amelia (Welsh) Adams. Gordon was a K-12 music teacher in Middletown, Durham and Middlefield. He also taught for several years in the GLS summer program at Wesleyan. He served 6 years in the Navy - 2 as a communications officer on the USS Johnston and then 4 years in Naples, Italy. He was the organist at the Church of the Holy Trinity for 27 years. After retirement from District 13, he served as a substitute teacher at Middletown High School, and as academic coach for the MHS Football Team and was their biggest fan. Gordon was a lifelong Episcopalian and member, warden and vestryman of the Church of the Holy Trinity. He was incredibly warm and welcoming to all - whether it was your first time there or you were a lifetime member. He held strong liberal political views, which were, of course, based on his view of the world that demanded respect and love for all. He wore his Christian beliefs like a second skin. He tended to be generous to a fault and would give you the last green pepper or kohlrabi in his lunchbox. Gordon was a friend to all. He loved to wear his Birkenstocks with black socks in all types of weather, including the winter. He loved Bach, the harmonies of the Beach Boys and the jazz of Miles Davis. He loved to read books about sea stories and Naval adventures, especially Patrick O'Brian. He loved trains - Gordon and his wife traveled across Europe, the United States and Canada via train - most recently to the Grand Canyon. He is so beloved by his family and friends and will be missed dearly. Besides his wife, Gordon is survived by two sons, Michael Wesley Arthur Adams of Moscow, Russia; Foster Clemmons Herrick Adams of Chicago, IL; two daughters, Hadley Amelia Lily Adams of Lake Placid, NY; Mary Eveline Welsh Adams of New York, NY; six grandchildren, Victor Adams, Kathleen Adams, Aiden Mellin, Rowan Mellin, Evia Gonzalez and Alex Gonzalez. Gordon was predeceased by two brothers, Victor and Henry Adams. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 31, 2019 at 11:00 am at the Church of the Holy Trinity, 381 Main Street, Middletown, CT. Interment will be at Indian Hill Cemetery in Middletown at the convenience of the family. Family and friends may call on Friday evening from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Doolittle Funeral Home, 14 Old Church Street, Middletown. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Church of the Holy Trinity, 381 Main Street, Middletown, CT 06457 or Middletown High School Football Program, 200 LaRosa Lane, Middletown, CT 06457. To share memories or send condolences to the family, please visit www.doolittlefuneralservice.com .

Published in The Hartford Courant on Aug. 28, 2019.