More than 450 turn out for Cary trustee's funeral

Cary Trustee Steve Adams' kindness, biting humor and big heart made him a popular figure in town, as evidenced by the turnout at his funeral Wednesday.

More than 450 mourners gathered shoulder to shoulder at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church to pay their final respects to Adams, 53, who died suddenly last Thursday of an apparent heart attack.

Adams leaves behind Karen, his wife of nearly 30 years, and sons Dan, 26, Bryan, 24 and Kevin, 18.

"We're with you in your grief," the Rev. Stephen St. Jules told the family. "We're with you also to be a sign of hope."

The service was a tribute to Adams' Irish roots as well - a singer performed "Danny Boy" at the end, and a bagpiper played "Amazing Grace" as the family left the church.

Jim Adams said his brother was a gentle giant with a charming personality who instantly put people at ease.

"When Steve was around, everyone had a smile on his face," he said. "He'd light up the room like a raging comet."

Steve Adams also took his duties as big brother very seriously.

The younger Adams recalls plowing their father's car into an oak tree and denting the car, shortly after he'd gotten his license.

Steve Adams dropped what he was doing, got his brother and the vehicle home and fixed the car "so that dad never knew" what had happened.

"He was my brother, my mentor - sometimes my disciplinarian," the younger Adams said. "But he was also my best friend."

Adams, re-elected this month to a second term on the village board, helped make public safety a priority in the village.

As a member of Cary-Grove Crime Stoppers, he secured money for 54 light bulbs to repel gang activity from the Arrowhead subdivision.

Finally, Adams made sure the village set funds aside for the village's motorcycle program in which police officers ride Harley Davidsons during public events.

Perhaps it was fitting then, that a Harley Davidson, with a police officer at the controls, helped escort Adams to his final destination.