SCARBOROUGH — Lee F. Adams, Jr., 76, died at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House on April 7 from cancer.

On Jan. 5, 1935, he was born in Portland, a son of Bessie J. (Frye) and Lee F. Adams.

After graduating from Deering High School in 1953, he became a partner in his father’s business, Eastern Builders, in Yarmouth.

In 1965 he started Lumber & Supplies, Inc. on Main Street in Yarmouth, and grew the lumber yard into a thriving enterprise, eventually selling to Hancock Lumber in 1984.

Although he technically retired at age 50, he was always busy buying, developing and selling land, or sawing lumber on his sawmill.

In 1994 he married Eileen W. McKeen and they enjoyed spending time with their grandchildren, traveling, skiing, snowmobiling, boating, fishing and entertaining friends at their home in New Vineyard.

He will be remembered for his love of the woods and wildlife, his colorful personality, integrity, and above all, his generosity.

In 1968 he established the annual Ellis C. Snodgrass Memorial Scholarship Fund at Yarmouth High School in honor of his former father-in-law who helped him start Lumber & Supplies.

He spent many hours sharing his business-savvy and counseling companies to help them overcome difficulties.

A longtime, active member of the Yarmouth Lions Club, he held various positions on the board over the years, and worked tirelessly on many fundraising projects, including the Clam Festival and annual Christmas tree sale. In 2008, he was awarded the Melvin Jones Award for his outstanding service to the Lions Club. His last project was to donate and saw the lumber to help rebuild Santa’s Chalet.

A generous contributor to many charities, he was also extremely giving with his family, helping them with home improvement projects and always putting them first.

He was predeceased by his oldest son, Lee F. Adams, III, who died on Mount Rainier, Wash., on July 27, 2010.

Surviving are his wife Eileen; his daughter and son-in-law, Dale and Mike Stair, his son and daughter-in-law Ellis Adams and Patti Adamich; his father and stepmother, Lee F. Adams, Sr., and Pauline Warren; two brothers, Dan Adams and Ray Adams; and a grandson, Parker Stair; stepchildren Amy and Tom Taylor, and Michael and Denise McKeen, and their children, Natalie, Jackson, Kelly and Ian; and many close friends.

Memorial services were held earlier this week.

Arrangements are by Lindquist Funeral Home, One Mayberry Lane, Yarmouth.

Please visit lindquistfuneralhome.com to view a video collage of his life and to share condolences, memories and tributes with his family.

Memorial donations may be made to the Yarmouth Lions Club, P.O. Box 512, Yarmouth, ME 04096; VNA Home Health & Hospice, 50 Foden Road, Suite 3, South Portland, ME 04106; or Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, 11 Hunnewell Road, Scarborough, ME 04074.

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Adams, Jr.