Sylvester Fitzgerald "Sonny" Adams

October 23, 1928 - July 23, 2008

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Services:

 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, July 31, 2008 at 10:00 AM in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Bushwood, MD with Fr. Francis Early officiating. Interment will follow in the Church Cemetery.

Visitation:

 

Viewing/Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 30, 2008 from 5:00 - 8:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, where Prayers will be said at 7:00 PM.

 

Sylvester F. “Sonny” Adams, of Palm Bay, FL, formerly of Mechanicsville, MD, finally lost his long battle with diabetes and was called to God’s loving domain on July 23, 2008. He was born on October 23, 1928 in Baltimore, MD and then continued his life’s journey in Maryland and Florida. He graduated from Margaret Brent High School and attended the University of Maryland and Catholic University of America. He served in the US Military and Naval Aviation as a flight engineer in World War II and the Korean War and then joined IBM as a customer engineer, from which he retired as a manager after 31 years of service. He managed IBM high security service operations in and around Washington, DC as well as in Bermuda, Panama, Okinawa, South Korea and South Vietnam. He also owned and operated AEI Locksmith, Inc. for 30 years, which installed and serviced alarms, locks and safes in the Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC area. He was also a member of the Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department and was instrumental in starting the cadet program, a member and officer of the Margaret Brent High School Alumni Association and also set up the Margaret Brent Alumni Association Scholarship program and was a board member for the Hope Swann Teacher of the Year Award. He was also a member of the American Legion, V.F.W., Moose, Navy League, Locksmith Association of the District of Columbia; two Barbershop Chapters, Southern Maryland Sound and Harbor City Harmonizers and Capital Area Bluegrass Old Time Music Association (CABOMA) and was editor of their newspaper. He was a member of the Catholic Church and was involved with many church ministries, including fundraisers, CYO activities, etc. He also played the guitar, banjo and mandolin and played with many pickup groups and bands. His love of music encouraged his dancing prowess and enabled him and his wife to win awards in the Swing and Cha-Cha categories. He enjoyed the water and his three and four day cruises and fishing trips on his yacht. Sonny is survived by his wife of 57 years, Alice Ann (Swann) Adams of Palm Bay, FL, formerly of Maddox, MD, a daughter, Donna Adams Thurman of Crestview, FL, a grandson, Bryan P. Thurman of Crestview, FL, a sister and brother-in-law, Mary Evelyn and Eddie Wood of Mechanicsville, MD and a sister-in-law Catherine “Kitty” Swann of Bushwood, MD. He was preceded in death by his parents, Sylvester and Julia Adams, one younger brother, James “Jimmie” Adams and a son-in-law, Paul Thurman.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, July 30, 2008 from 5:00 – 8:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD where prayers will be said at 7:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, July 31, 2008 at 10:00 AM in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Bushwood, MD with Fr. Francis Early officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be Bryan Thurman, Jodie Wood, Buddy Adams, Taylor Wood, Mark Adams and Wesley Pavlicek. Honorary pallbearers will be Elmer Wolfrey, Bud Tillman, Eddie Wood, Bo Bailey, Billy Buckley and Frankie McCauley. Contributions may be made to VITAS Innovative Hospice Care of Brevard County, 4450 West Eau Gallie Boulevard, Ste. 280, Melbourne, FL 32934 and/or Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 37, Mechanicsville, MD 20659.

Guestbook Signatures and Condolences

"Alice and Donna, I will always remember the good times we had on 28th Parkway. My thoughts and prayers are with you both and Bryan."
- Karen Salsbury-Flamm
- Posted: Wednesday, July 30, 2008

"Alice Ann - We are so very sorry for your loss. You and your family are in our prayers. Every time I think of you and Sonny, I can't help but remember the fun times you both had with Jim and Clare. God bless you."
- Carol Ann & Wayne Pingleton
- Posted: Wednesday, July 30, 2008

"Alice, I have so many happy memories of the good times Pete & I spent with you and Sonny. I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Donna, and Bryan."
- Louise Salsbury
- Posted: Wednesday, July 30, 2008

"Dear Alice--you are your family are in our hearts. We enjoyed having Sonny and you for neighbors for many years. You are in our prayers."
- Bill & Valerie Trumbull
- Posted: Wednesday, July 30, 2008

"Alice and Donna, please accept our deepest condolences for your loss. I'll never forget the years I worked with Ves or the many memories he left me with. He always made me look forward to seeing him again and he will surely be missed."
- Casimer Kaminskas
- Posted: Tuesday, July 29, 2008

"Alice, Donna and Bryan. We are so sorry to hear of Sonny's passing. He was such a nice man and we always enjoyed his visits to "Upstate NY". We cannont be with you in MD, but wanted you to know we are with you in our thoughts and prayers at this sad time. He was a fine man and we know you will all miss his so much. Take care and love from all of us in Apalachin. "
- Henry and Liz Hagadorn
- Posted: Tuesday, July 29, 2008

"I'm so sorry to hear of Sonny's passing. Very few people have touched as many lives as he did. Every memory brings a smile to my face. He will be missed deeply and remembered fondly. "
- Terri Petchulis
- Posted: Tuesday, July 29, 2008

"The world is missing a Giant, and not just Sonny's physical size. What a beautiful obituary...Sonny obviously touched many lives in a very positive way. It was our pleasure to have known Sonny and Alice when they came to visit Donna here in Upstate, New York. They introduced us to "Maryland Stuffed ham" during the holidays, and we cherish those and the MANY memories we have of Sonny. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Donna, Bryan and sweet Alice. God Bless."
- Al and Monica Eaton
- Posted: Tuesday, July 29, 2008

"Alice, Donna and Bryan, My heart hurts greatly for all. Sonny was like my second father... you have been family to me for many years--seems like forever! I cherish the wonderful memories. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you and Sonny who is now with us in spirit. I know you are all very proud of Sonny's superb life and the many, many lives he has touched. "
- Marcee Thomas
- Posted: Tuesday, July 29, 2008

"Your family is in our thoughts and prayers!!"
- Cherie Marquart
- Posted: Tuesday, July 29, 2008

"DONNA, PLEASE KNOW YOU & YOUR FAMILY ARE IN MY PRAYERS. I'M SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. MAY GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU."
- JULIA COLE
- Posted: Monday, July 28, 2008

"Donna, I just wanted you to know that you and your family are in my prayers. I pray that you feel God's presence and love at this difficult time."
- Jeanette Perry
- Posted: Monday, July 28, 2008

"Dear Alice, Donna and Bryan, My parents should have sent you grocery money for the hundreds of meals I ate at your house when Donna and I were in H.S and College. Even though Sonny made us grill the steaks-outside-in January and always do the dishes and take out the trash! Your house was my other home and was always filled with friends, laughter and love. Walter and I always remember Sonny with a big laugh and smile. Times spent with your family are part of our most cherished memories. Our hearts are saddened by his passing and we pray that God sends you peace and strength. Love Mena and Walter"
- Mena McManus-Wroblewski
- Posted: Monday, July 28, 2008

"Dear Donna, I am so sorry for your loss. My deepest condolences go to you and your family. You are in my prayers. "
- Gina Holloway
- Posted: Monday, July 28, 2008

"Just remembering the good time and fun we had togeather. You all have to be proud. Best wishes to you and Donna"
- Ralph & Phyllis Browning
- Posted: Sunday, July 27, 2008

"Linda & I are sorry to hear of your lost. Sonny was a great neighbor and friend. Please call upon us if you need anything during this difficult time."
- Paul Batick
- Posted: Sunday, July 27, 2008

"I will always remember the "good times and good food" whenever we got together with Ves and Alice and especially the annual church dinners in St Mary's County. We have lost a real gentleman."
- Conrad Luhmann
- Posted: Saturday, July 26, 2008

"Alice, Donna, and All of the Family, You all are in our thoughts and prayers and you have our deepest sympathy. Sonny will be missed by many. We shared lots of good times on my bus trips whenever he and Alice would go. He worked very hard with the MBHS Alumni Association prior to moving to Florida. With lots of friends and prayers, hopefully this will help you get through this most difficult time."
- Carol Ann & Satch Hall
- Posted: Saturday, July 26, 2008

"Dear Alice and family, I am so sorry to hear of Ves's passing. He was a mentor to me in my early years with IBM and I admired him greatly."
- Bill Marrow
- Posted: Friday, July 25, 2008

"I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers."
- Adrienne Donaldson
- Posted: Friday, July 25, 2008

"Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Please accept our sincere condolences."
- Wally and Diana Henderson
- Posted: Friday, July 25, 2008

"I am very sorry for your loss. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. "
- Sarah Jean Pingleton
- Posted: Thursday, July 24, 2008

"Ernie & I are so sorry to hear of your loss. You all will be in our prayers."
- Catherine Bohanan
- Posted: Thursday, July 24, 2008

"Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family. Sonny was always a help to me in the times that we shared with the Alumni Society for MBHS. Shared some good humor over the years. Louis"
- Louis M Buckler
- Posted: Thursday, July 24, 2008

"May God Bless all of you and we are still here as your friends and classmates of Margaret Brent and St. Mary's Academy. Please let us help when needed."
- Jim & Isabelle Raley
- Posted: Thursday, July 24, 2008

"If we can be of help at this time of sadness, please let us know. Our hearts aches for you. We are so sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with you."
- Aggie & Robert Lee Owens
- Posted: Thursday, July 24, 2008