Passionate Catholic, devoted and loving husband, father of 10, grandfather of 30, valued friend, outstanding engineer are fitting descriptions of Dale Adams. He was an exceptional man, whose life made an indelible mark on all those he knew and loved. His legacy will continue to influence for generations.
Dale Celestine Adams, 84, of Jacksonville, Florida, fought the good fight and kept the faith. He peacefully passed into the presence of his Lord on December 20, 2021 in the peace of his Jacksonville home. Dale was born April 25, 1937, the second of five children born to the late Celestine “Sal” and Esther (Manuel) Adams in Platteville, Wisconsin. He married the love of his life, Mary (Doyle) on August 22, 1964 and was blessed with a God-centered, fulfilling marriage for 57 years. In his own endearing words, “Mary is beautiful, kind, and a wonder. I marvel at her heart, love, kindness, generosity, energy and unselfishness.”
Dale developed an early passion for learning and earned a bachelor's degree in Physics and Math, as well as a bachelor's in Civil Engineering and a master's degree in Structural Engineering. Dale had an immensely successful 45-year career as an engineer and manager before choosing to retire in 2006. As hobbies, he enjoyed playing tennis and fishing with friends and family. He contributed hundreds of volunteer hours to his communities, including volunteering with: Knights of Columbus; Legion of Mary; Marriage Encounter; Life in the Spirit; Cursillo; St. Vincent de Paul; and several parish councils. A life-long learner, you could often find him reading numerous Catholic books at the same time, his favorite of which included: “The American Bible,” “The Imitation of Christ,” and “The Imitation of Mary.” Dale authored “Words of My Father,” in which he outlined “knowing, loving and serving God” as a means of attaining our final goal—Heaven. Those that knew Dale respected him dearly for living out his priorities of “J.O.Y.—Jesus, Others, Yourself” and his many descendants will be always grateful for this precedent.
Dale was a loving father of ten children: Colleen, Timothy (Heather), Stephen (Holly), Alan, Deborah (Chris) Topazi, Elizabeth (Rich) Giglio, Catherine (Shaun) Germain, Theresa (Brett) Jones, Joseph (Elaine), and Ann; and a proud grandfather to: Sara, Luke, Joshua, Jonathan, Maria, Hannah, Justin, Alex, Hannah, Jacob, Keara, Trey, Evelyn, Anthony, Eva, Avery, Aiden, Mary, Justus, Chase, Brendan, Thomas, Dominic, Rose, Maria, Anton, Amelia, Marie, Miles, and Zelie. Dale has one sister, Eileen (Harrell) Wiggins, and three brothers, Larry (deceased), Roger (Gloria), and James, and numerous nieces and nephews. All who were blessed to know Dale, will find strength and comfort from the profound impact his life and legacy has made on their lives.
In lieu of flowers, and as Dale requested, please shower him with prayers, rosaries, and having Masses said for him. “…love and pray for one another creating a veritable shower of prayers, rosaries, Masses for me and others now into eternity … Lord, my heart will not rest until it rests in you!” - Dale C. Adams, “Words of My Father”
Friends are welcome to join the Adams Family for the wake at Ponte Vedra Valley Funeral Home on Wednesday, December 22, 2021 from 4:00–6:00pm. During the wake, friends are invited to pray the Rosary with the Adams Family from 4:00–4:30pm and then share memories of Dale until the vigil service from 5:30-6:00pm. A funeral Mass will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church on Thursday, December 23, 2021 at 11:00am, immediately followed by the burial at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery.
