Kennebunkport
Wayne Thomas Adams, 79 years, a longtime Kennebunkport resident and well known attorney, died Tuesday, July 28, 2020 at Maine Medical Center in Portland following a brief illness.
Wayne was born May 24, 1941 in Biddeford, ME, a son of Donald Thomas and Velda (Garvin) Adams. He attended Kennebunkport schools, graduating from Kennebunk High School. Wayne earned a bachelor’s degree at Bowdoin College and went on to earn his law degree from the University of Chicago.
Wayne served his country in the United States Army, serving active duty in Vietnam and retired from the Army Active Reserve with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, having served as Military Intelligence Officer. He also served five years in the Foreign Service of the State Department during which time he was a Vice Consul in Brussels.
During his remarkable career, he practiced law for 35 years at Reagan and Adams in Kennebunk before venturing out on his own for several years. He spent the last 15 delightful years at Bergen and Parkinson before retiring this year.
Wayne had a firm belief in public and community service, serving as long-time town meeting moderator for both Kennebunk and Kennebunkport. He served as a past commodore of the Kennebunk River Club, a member of the Arundel Yacht Club, member and past president of the Kennebunk Rotary Club, a vestryman and member of St. David’s Episcopal Church as well as St. Ann’s Episcopal Church. Wayne was a long-time active member and Past Master of Arundel Lodge, No. 76 in Kennebunkport, where he was instrumental in re-establishing the Lafayette Chapter Order of DeMolay. He was also elected and served as Grand Master of Masons for the State of Maine in 2000 and 2001. He served the Craft in many capacities including the Masonic Education and Lodge Services (MEALS) Committee and was a long-standing Director of the Maine Masonic Charitable Foundation and Chairman of its Disbursement Committee. Wayne was a member of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Portland, where he served. as Sovereign Prince of Portland Council Princes of Jerusalem. Wayne was coroneted an Honorary 33rd Degree Mason in Pittsburgh, PA. He was a member of Murray Chapter #20, RAM, Maine Council #7, R&SM, St. Amand Commandery #20, Knights Templar, a Noble of Kora Shrine Temple AAONMS and was a past director of PUT Stevens, Royal Order of Jesters. He was also a contributor to various Masonic periodicals and because of his broad knowledge and quick wit was often called on for speaking engagements.
In his spare time Wayne enjoyed developing Adams Woods Preserve, working his Christmas tree farm on his property and spending time with friends and family.
He was predeceased by his loving wife Catherine Jones Adams in 2017.
Survivors include his son, Bradford Adams and his wife Clara Long and their children Sage and Luca of Oakland, CA; daughter Sarah O’Sullivan and husband Brian and their son Logan Douglas of Kennebunkport; and daughter Emily Adams and her husband Joel Aguilar and their children Goya and Lorenzo of Oaxaca, Mexico; his brother, Bruce Adams of Kennebunkport; his companion, Diane Denk and by a wide circle of friends throughout the state.
Due to the current Covid 19 guidelines, private graveside services will be held at Arundel Cemetery on Saturday, August 1, 2020.
Should friends desire, memorial donations may be made to the Maine Masonic Charitable Foundation, PO Box 430, Holden, ME 04439 or to Kennebunkport Conservation Trust, PO Box 7004, Cape Porpoise, ME 04014.
To share a memory or leave a message of condolence, please visit Wayne’s Book of Memories Page at www.bibberfuneral.com
Arrangements are in care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer Street, Kennebunk, ME 04043. www.bibbermemorial.com