It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Carl James Adams in the arms of his wife Mary at his summer home on Manitoulin Island on Monday, September 14, 2026.

Born in Meaford on April 16th, 1939 he was the 11th of 12 children of the late Burgess Lyman and Clara Lucy (nee Almond) Adams.
Carl was the dearly loved and cherished husband and best friend of Mary Adams (nee Muxlow) throughout their 63 year marriage, and much-loved father of Carla (Allan), Scott (Lori), Daryl (Michele) and Barbara (Jon). He was the proud grandfather of Alexandra, Jack and Ryan; Mikaela (Dustin) and Will (Catherine); Hannah, Abigail and Avery; and Harrison and Hudson.

He was the dear brother of his 11 siblings who predeceased him – Doris and Ed Hutchinson, Marjorie and Jim Nesbitt, Leslie and Betty Adams, Mel and Lenore Adams, Bill and Mary Adams, Betty and Ivan Tomlinson, Bob and Jean Henning, Eleanor and Reg Conley, Ray and Helen Adams (and later Norma Dunlop), Russ and Kathy Bumstead, and Helen Bowins.

He was the beloved brother-in-law of Gary Emmerson (Iate Isobel Muxlow), Ethil and Craig Litster, and Fred and Leanne Muxlow. He will be fondly remembered by the Adams, Almond, Dixon and Muxlow families.

Carl was raised in a large, boisterous, loving and hard-working family of modest means. He attended Meaford Elementary School and Meaford District High School. Shortly after leaving high school, Carl started working as an apprentice printer and after completing his trade papers he continued working at Meaford Express. He later moved his young family to Waterloo and worked at Waterloo Printing. City life was not for him so he made the move to RBW Graphics (later Transcontinental) in Owen Sound where he worked 25 years until his retirement. He continued to work at various odd jobs for about 10 years after he formally retired in order to keep him out of trouble.

After their children were launched, Mary and Carl took many vacations south, travelled across Canada, and to the UK. They also enjoyed spending time with family and caring for their growing brood of grandchildren, and visiting extended family and friends. They took up curling later in life and truly enjoyed their years with the Meaford Curling Club.

Given their interest in renovation projects and Carl’s enjoyment of building and working with his hands, Mary and Carl purchased a property on Manitoulin Island and took on the huge project of clearing their lot and building their dream property on several acres on Manitoulin Island in order to “get away from it all.” Carl and Mary spent years building their Manitoulin home with the help of friends and family, and outside contractors. It truly was a labour of love. They spent the majority of the fair-weather months on Ice Lake on Manitoulin Island and they embraced living in the Gore Bay community. They developed many long-lasting friendships in their Ice Lake neighbourhood and their church family.

The family extends a heartfelt thank you to Manitoulin EMS who worked tirelessly attempting resuscitation, the emergency doctor at Mindemoya Hospital and to Deacon Joyce Foster who supported Mom in her time of need.

A funeral service will be conducted at Christ Church Anglican in Meaford on Friday, September 25, 2026 at 1 o’clock. A reception will follow at the Meaford and St. Vincent Community Centre, where family and friends will gather to celebrate Carl’s life.

As your expression of sympathy, donations to the Christ Church Anglican in Meaford or All Saints Church in Gore Bay (Cheques Only Please), or the Grey Bruce Humane Society would be appreciated and may be made through the Ferguson Funeral Home, 48 Boucher St. E., Meaford, ON N4L 1B9 to whom arrangements have been entrusted.

• First Name : Carl
• Last Name : Adams
• Funeral Home : Ferguson Funeral Home, Meaford
• URL : https://fergusonfuneralhomes.ca/obituary/carl-james-adams/

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