Joseph “Joe” Francis Adam Jr., 67, passed away on Tuesday, February 9, 2016.
Adam was a native of Philadelphia and a Seaford resident since 1970. He served his country for five-and-a-half years in the U.S. Army before starting his career with the York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office in 1973 as a patrol deputy.
Adam broke new ground as the first deputy of the department to become an investigator in 1976.
“When he worked the street, any job he did, he did very well. It was pretty new to have a plainclothes’ officer in our department, and there was certainly a lot of responsibility doing it himself,” said Lt. Dennis Ivey of the York-Poquoson Sherriff’s Office.
Adam was promoted to patrol lieutenant in 1980 and helped to expand the K-9 Program.
“I was a K-9 deputy underneath him for several years. He made sure we had the equipment and training we needed to ensure we were really good at what we did. He remained active in the K-9 Program until he retired,” Ivey said.
He was promoted to captain of civil process in 1991 and to major, chief deputy in 1993.
“He was a fixture around here for many years protecting the citizens of York County and Poquoson, and he will be missed. He was definitely an asset to our department. He was also a character with a great sense of humor,” Ivey said.
He retired from the York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office on December 31, 1999, after 27 years of service with the York-Poquoson Sherriff’s Office. He then went to work for the Department of Defense until 2010.
Adam was a member of the Gold Wing Road Riders and Classic Cruisers Car Club; he owned a Black 57 Bel Air. He was a member of the Kiwanis and an avid golfer.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Janice Tossona; and a brother, Carl Adam. He is survived by his devoted wife of 41 years, Faye Adam; his children, Misty Adam De Zutter (David) of Poquoson, Sheena Moberg (Erik) of Yorktown, Wendy Frangesh of Florida, Thomas P. Adam of Florida and Adam Valentine of Michigan; a sister, Margaret Godfrey of Pennsylvania; two brothers, William Adam of Pennsylvania and Steven Adam of North Carolina. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Alec, Addison, Rosemarie, Taylor and Zaelyn.
The family would especially like to thank Steven and Scott for all they did to help Joe.
A celebration of life service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, February 13, 2016, at Amory Funeral Home Chapel, Grafton. Burial will follow in Peninsula Memorial Park. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters, 601 Children’s Lane, Norfolk, VA, 23507; or to SPIKES K9 FUND. ORG, 5760 Northampton Blvd. Suite 118, Virginia Beach, VA, 23455.
Please leave online condolences for the family at Amory Funeral Home.
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