Edward James Adams

Peacefully passed away at Fairhaven Long Term Care Home, Peterborough, Ontario, on Sunday, October 1, 2023 at the age of 97.

Beloved husband of 56 years of the late Alice Adams (née Grunau). Loving father of Jennifer Adams (Tom Onderwater) and Roger Adams (Amina). Proud grandfather of Mark Onderwater, Kris Onderwater, Sara Adams and Alison Adams. Dear brother of late William Adams (late Dallas), the late Kathleen Metcalf (late Fred), and of Irene Duke (late Donald). Lovingly remembered by many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Ed was a retired P. Engineer (University of Toronto, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering). In his private life, he was one of the founding members of the Peterborough Unitarian Fellowship. He was an avid canoer, Stoney Lake cottager, vegetable gardener, boat-builder, wood worker, classical music lover and avid reader.

Dad was born in downtown Toronto, where, in the spring of 1944, while still in high school, he enlisted with the First Canadian Infantry Division for military service on the Pacific front. He was fortunate to not see active duty and combat in the Pacific War Theatre. After the end of WWII, he enrolled in the University of Toronto, Mechanical and Industrial engineering. In 1952, he was chosen as a Fellow of the Athlone Fellowship Scheme for the Practical Training in Industry of Canadian Engineering Graduates in Great Britain. He and Alice spent two happy and memorable years in the UK. Upon their return to Canada, Dad and Mom established themselves in Peterborough, where Dad started working for Canadian General Electric. At CGE, he worked on the original design of the fuel-handling robotics machine of the first CANDU reactor. As his career progressed, he went on to become a manager of a safety team for the subsequent CANDU reactors.

Dad was a contemplative, inquisitive mind with a sharp sense of wit and humour. He particularly enjoyed time spent with family and friends. He loved classical music, theatre and was a patron of the arts. He and Mom were avid supporters of the Peterborough Theatre Guild. They also both believed in a more just and sustainable world and were generous donors to many charities that espoused those principles. As a founding member of the Peterborough Unitarian fellowship, Dad served for years as the Treasurer and always belonged to the Unitarian Book club. Indeed, Dad read widely; he was a student of history, the sciences and contemporary issues until the very end. He and Mom instilled in us, and their grandchildren, the values of open-mindedness, acceptance of diversity and encouraged us to embrace life with wonder and inquiry.

Grandpa also led by example and dared to be different when the status quo didn't appeal to him. As a bicycle commuter, he was ahead of his time, and he often questioned expectations and ideas before accepting them. Other passions of our Dad were naval architecture and woodworking, which he combined to design and hand-build a 25-foot cabin cruiser in the carport of our home. He skippered it through the Trent and Rideau canals, with the family on board. In 1964-1965, he was a squadron commander. He also built a playable guitar. In his later years, as a proud Grandpa, Dad spent time watching from the sidelines, and enjoying hearing about the exploits and the development of his grandchildren as they matured into adulthood. Dad was a loving and supportive husband, father and grandfather. He will be missed.

The Adams and Onderwater families would like to thank the staff at Fairhaven Long-Term Care for their kindness and exceptional care, as well as the Staff of the Peterborough Hospice, where Dad spent a short period in the spring of 2022.

In keeping with Dad’s wishes, cremation will take place at Comstock-Kaye Life Celebration Centre. Memorial Service will take place at 3 p.m. on October 21st, 2023, at the Unitarian Fellowship of Peterborough, 775 Weller Street, Peterborough, Ontario.

In memory of Edward Adams, donations to two of his favourite charities may be made to https://weseedchange.org or https://www.childhaven.ca