Alexander Joseph MacAdam

Funeral service for the late Alexander Joseph MacAdam, 94, Antigonish, was held December 24 in St. Ninian Cathedral with Father Donald MacGillivray officiating, assisted by Fathers John Barry, Bernard MacAdam and Gary MacPherson. Burial was in the parish cemetery. Mr. MacAdam died December 20, 2018. Readers at the funeral Mass were Paul Richardson and Geoff Richardson. Ali Chisholm, Addison Dunphy, Annabelle Chisholm, Ivy MacIsaac, Chelsey MacIsaac, Colin MacIsaac, Owen Chisholm, Will Chisholm, Daniel Chisholm and Will MacIsaac presented the offertory gifts. Eucharistic ministers were John Kenneth MacAdam and Colin MacGillivray. Music was provided by Emery Van de Wiel, with soloist Andy Hirt. Active pallbearers were Marc Chisholm, Bobby Dunphy, Alexander MacAdam, David Chisholm, Trevor MacIsaac, Adam Dunphy, Michael MacIsaac and Ryan Richardson. Honorary pallbearers were Emerson Dunphy, Bernie Chisholm, Les MacIntyre, Lou Palmer, Ronald ‘Bo’ Chisholm and George Williams. Born May 31, 1924, in Glace Bay, he was a son of the late Roderick Joseph and Mary Josephine (MacNeil) MacAdam. He 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. He 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 Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1949. During his university years at St.F.X., he 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, he presided over the University Amateur Athletic Club. After returning from Massachusetts in 1949, he taught school in Lockport, N.S. He married Evelyn Gallant in 1950, and the couple moved to Halifax where he taught school at St. Pat’s. He returned to his Alma Mater when he accepted a faculty position at St.F.X. University in 1955. He 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, he was inducted into the St.F.X. Sports Hall of Fame. He was a dedicated member of the Antigonish Highland Society and the Director of track and 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. He had many special hobbies and interests, which included fishing, carpentry, travel, and gardening. He 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. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Evelyn (Gallant); four sons, Gary (Pauline), Edmonton; Kevin (late Nancy), Prince Edward Island; Greg (Valerie), David (Fern), both of Halifax; five daughters, Brenda (Bernie) Chisholm, Patsy (Mike) MacIsaac, Nancy (Rob) Dunphy, all of Antigonish; Donna (Paul) Richardson, Kingston, Ontario; Audrey (Jamie) Strathdee, Toronto, Ont.; 29 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by three sisters, Dorothy (Jack MacNeil), Mary (Frank Doyle), Anna (Larry Floyd); three brothers, Roddie (Helen MacIntosh), Donald (Mary MacNeil), Stephen. Memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Online condolences: www.clcurry.com