Alexander Joseph MacAdam
Passed on: December 20th, 2018
Alexander Joseph MacAdam, 94, of Antigonish died on December 20, 2018, surrounded by his loving wife of 68 years, Evelyn, and all of his children. Born in Glace Bay on May 31, 1924, he was the son of the late Roderick Joseph and Mary Josephine (MacNeil) MacAdam.
Alex will always be remembered as a dedicated, hard-working, and loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He touched our lives with love, kindness, and generosity, and he will be cherished forever in our hearts. Alex had a wonderful sense of humour, and he loved life! Despite his busy career, he always made time for his loving family and enjoyed spending time with them. Alex had many special hobbies and interests, which included fishing, carpentry, travel, and gardening. Alex was an avid card player throughout his life and enjoyed playing bridge at Club 60 and with his bridge club members up until his passing.
Alex graduated from St. Anne’s High School in Glace Bay in 1941, and thereafter, received his Bachelor of Arts from St. Francis Xavier University in 1945. Alex continued his education and received his Physical Education Degree from McGill University in 1947 and completed his Masters of Physical Education at Springfield College in Springield, Massachusetts in 1949.
During his university years at St.F.X., Alex exercised his many talents in sports, recreation, and physical education. He was the Maritime Intercollegiate Lightweight Boxing Champion during his time at St.F.X and was also recognized for his many talents in basketball, varsity rugby, and baseball. During his tenure at X, Alex presided over the University Amateur Athletic Club.
After returning from Massachusetts in 1949, Alex went on to teach school in Lockport, N.S. He married his beautiful wife Evelyn in 1950, and the couple moved to Halifax where Alex taught school at St. Pat's. Alex returned to his Alma Mater when he accepted a faculty position at St.F.X. University in 1955. Alex held the first position as a Physical Education Director, creating and implementing the Physical Education program for the university. He was the Chairman of the Physical Education department as well as Athletic Director from 1956-1966. His talents led to coaching men’s varsity boxing, basketball, soccer, and track. In 1981, Alex was inducted into the St.F.X. Sports Hall of Fame.
Alex was a dedicated member of the Antigonish Highland Society and the Director of Track & Field at the Highland Games. As a member of the board and the executive council for the Bergengren Credit Union, he also served as President of Credit Union Central of Nova Scotia.
Alex will lovingly be remembered by his wife, Evelyn (Gallant), and his nine children, Gary (Pauline), Edmonton, Kevin (late Nancy), PEI, Brenda (Bernie) Chisholm, Antigonish, Patsy (Mike) MacIsaac, Antigonish, Greg (Valerie), Halifax, Nancy (Rob) Dunphy, Antigonish, Donna (Paul) Richardson, Kingston, ON, David (Fern), Halifax and Audrey (Jamie) Strathdee, Toronto, ON. He was adored by his 29 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. Alex is preceded in death by sisters, Dorothy (Jack MacNeil), Mary (Frank Doyle), Anna (Larry Floyd); brothers, Roddie (Helen MacIntosh), Donald (Mary MacNeil) and Stephen.
Visitation will be held Sunday, December 23 in C.L. Curry Funeral Home, 135 College St., Antigonish, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held 11 a.m. Monday in St. Ninian Cathedral, Reverend Donald MacGillivray presiding. Burial in the parish cemetery.
In Memoriam, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Online condolences: www.clcurry.com.
