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Remembering Russ McAdams
 

It was soon after we had met them that Susan and I were introduced to the McAdams family and were welcomed into their home and circle of friends.

Russ was a straight-talking, self-made man who knew a lot about many things. He could argue politics or world events with the best of them. He was someone who said what he meant and meant what he said. He loved fishing, boating and was known to enjoy flying an airplane or two. And without argument, he knew more about servicing and installing oil burners and furnaces than anyone within 100 miles.

Many an area homeowner - and more than a few businesses (including a church and school or two!) can thank Russ's expertise for getting them through a cold winter.

For 58 years Russ and Dolly called Kingston home, much of that time at their house on Summer Street. The real "townies" will recall Russ from the days when he operated his own service station at the location of the present-day Dana's on Summer Street. The work that he is best known for, though, is his servicing of oil burners, a trade he practiced actively until last year.

He was a craftsman who understood the importance of giving good value. In fact, his labor rates were so reasonable that one contractor routinely paid Russ twice the amount he asked for, to make sure that Russ was compensated adequately for his efforts. His daughter Debbie's comments were echoed by other family members when she said, "It was never about the money where Dad was concerned."

I can attest to that personally. Russ kept our old, tired furnace alive for many years longer than we had a right to expect, and when it was finally time to install the new one, I practically had to beg him to let us pay him for his labor. I've always believed there were more than a few hours that somehow didn't show up on that invoice. "We'll worry about it later," he said. "I want to make sure you kids are all set first."

Putting aside the fact that as a man in my fifties, anyone who calls me 'kid' is automatically my hero, the gesture spoke volumes of Russ's style. It was this side of Russ McAdams that people mentioned so many times at his memorial service - a man with a generous spirit who loved helping others.

People also remembered his great love for his wife Dolly as well as daughters Debbie, Sandy and Dolly and their families. His fellow Mayflower Congregational Church members recalled Russ as a real "go to" guy.

Whether it was for his church, the schools, or to aid a homeowner whose boiler quit unexpectedly during the middle of the winter, Russ was there. Most recently, his efforts were focused on helping with the new Kingston Animal Shelter. His hard work earned the appreciation of our Board of Selectmen, who honored Russ for his volunteerism at a ceremony last year.

Russ was poignantly eulogized by a number of people - his son-in-law John, his granddaughter's husband Brian, fellow church member Nancy Sheerin, and Rev. Wayne Earl, among others. Although each shared different remembrances of Russ, each honored the life of a man who had influenced them in a positive way. Russ was described as a man of strong faith and character, a man who loved his family, and a man who loved to help other people.

A friend who had known Russ as long as I have leaned over after the service and said, "I didn't realize how much about Russ I didn't know." I felt the same way. In large part that is a tribute to Russ's nature. He was an unsung hero who simply didn't believe in making a big deal out of all the good and generous acts that he did.

In times when it can seem difficult to find "good news" in the midst of all that happens around us, it is fitting to reflect on the life of a good and honorable man, and to say how fortunate Kingston was to have had him as a part of our community for so many years. And I will always consider it a privilege to have had him as a friend.

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