John C. "Charlie" Adams

John C. "Charlie" Adams, 87, Cresson, passed away peacefully Tuesday at the home of his daughter in Stafford, Va. He was born in Sankertown, son of the late Richard "Dewey" and Eleanor Mary (Conrad) Adams. He married Ann Soisson on Aug. 11, 1956, at St. Francis Xavier Church, Cresson. Surviving are his loving wife; seven loving children: Patricia (Lawrence) Durkin of Sterling, Va., Dewey (Suzanne Pascoe) of Ijamsville, Md., William "Bill" of Manassas, Va., Susan (Keith) Wilson of Stafford, Va., Carol (Peter) Stolarski of New Kensington, Timothy (Jodi Mundorf) of Lancaster and Lynn (Craig) Vinglish of Dysart; and 21 admiring grandchildren: Brian (Tiffany Roberson), Michael, Kevin and Lauren Durkin, Benjamin, Matthew (fiancIC.e Dr. Briana Lucero) and Jacqueline (Jason Connolly) Adams, Nicholas and Samuel Adams, Taylor (Kristen Stuckey), Tanner, Trena and Trenton Wilson, Nathaniel and Tara Stolarski, Carlynn, Aubry and Quinn Adams, and Katelyn, Marissa and Brody Vinglish. Charlie is also survived by a brother, William "Bill" Adams (Linda Liebegott) of Duncansville; a brother-in-law, Mark Soisson (Joline Kirby) of Littlestown; two sisters-in-law: Therese Adams of Cresson and Jeanne Vicini of Kenna, W.Va.; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by four brothers: Howard "Dewey," Cyril "Skillet," Alfred "Crow" and Kenneth "Smokey"; and four sisters: Alberta "Boots" Gill, Alfaretta "Freddie" Stafford, Virginia Adams and Mary McGuire. Charlie attended Cresson Summit Elementary School and graduated with the class of 1946 from Cresson High School. In high school, he was an accomplished athlete, continuing the family tradition of playing the position of center on the football team. He also competed on the track team, specializing in the mile run, and was runner-up at the Pennsylvania State Championship meet, finishing with a time of 4:26, which is believed to have never been bested locally. During the latter 1940s and early 1950s, he alternated between military service and higher education. Twice he served in the U.S. Army. His first service was with the occupation force of Japan, and his second stint was served in Germany. He received his bachelor's degree in education from Saint Francis College, Loretto, where he also played football. He received his master's degree in education from Penn State University. He spent his teaching career with Cresson Public Schools and Penn Cambria School District, teaching physical education, civics and Pennsylvania history. In addition to teaching, Charlie was active in numerous school activities, including coaching football and golf, officiating football, and organizing the American Legion Oratorical Contest. He retired after 35 years in education. He was involved in the formation of the Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site and Johnstown Flood National Memorial, where he worked many summers as a National Park Service ranger. He was a local historian and was an advisor to the authors of two books about the history of Cresson titled "Cresson Borough - Then and Now" and "Around Cresson and the Alleghenies." Charlie was always devoted to God and his community. He was a lifelong member and usher of St. Francis Xavier Church, Cresson; a member of the Knights of Columbus St. Anne's Council 4295, Cresson; and a former member of the St. Pietro Di Roma Italian Society, Cresson Volunteer Fire Company, Cresson Community Sportsman's Association and the "Retired Guys" golf league. He was a life member of the VFW Post 7377, Sankertown, and a life member and past post commander of American Legion Post 238, Cresson. He was the 2010 recipient of that organization's Americanism Award. Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, 2015, at Charles M. Kennedy Funeral Home, Cresson, where this life very well lived will be remembered and celebrated. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, 2015, at St. Francis Xavier Church, Cresson, the Rev. Leo Arnone as celebrant. Committal will be in the church mausoleum. Military graveside rites will be performed by Cresson American Legion, Sankertown VFW and other local veterans' organizations. The family suggests memorial contributions to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society or the American Diabetes Association. cmkennedyfh.comi¿½i¿½

Service:

10 a.m. Saturday, August 8, 2015

St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 211 Powell Ave., Cresson, Pa. 16630



Visitation:

7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, August 6, 2015 and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, August 7, 2015

Kennedy Funeral Home, 233 Keystone Ave., Cresson, Pa. 16630