Louis Vincent McAdams III

Louis Vincent McAdams III, January 2, 1941 to October 23, 2023, 82 years old, passed away peacefully after a brief illness. Lou is survived by his best friend and beloved wife of 56 years, Carolyn McAdams of Ridgefield; his son and daughter-in-law Stephen and Karyn McAdams and grandchildren Rachel and Daniel of Cromwell, CT; his son and daughter-in-law Jeffrey and Karen McAdams and grandchildren Ella and Sebastian of Wellesley, MA; his sister Mary Ann Hayward of Manchester, CT; and nieces, a nephew and cousins in the New England area. Louis was pre-deceased by his father, Louis Vincent McAdams II and mother Ann Hopkins McAdams.

Lou was born at Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro, MA and attended St Mary Elementary School and Coyle High School before attending Providence College, where he received a B.S. in Chemistry in 1962. Four years later he completed his M.A. and PhD in Organic Chemistry from the University of Massachusetts, dedicating his doctoral thesis to his mother and late father.

Following graduation, Lou began his career with American Cyanamid Corp, of Stamford CT, where he led a research lab before joining Ciba Geigy in 1969, a Swiss predecessor to Novartis, where he held positions of progressive responsibility in their Plastics and Resins divisions, culminating in his role as Vice President of Ciba’s Electronics Materials Business. During his career path Lou, Carolyn, Steve and Jeff lived in Stamford, East Greenwich Rhode Island and Basel, Switzerland, before moving to Ridgefield in 1974.

In 1991 Lou was appointed Vice President, Technical Operations for OCG, a joint-venture with Olin Hunt before his retirement in 1997. Lou spent his early retirement years as an Executive volunteer for The United Way and a Board Member for the Danbury Regional Child Advocacy Center, where he supported development activities. After spending fourteen years retired, Lou returned to industry with a part-time role at Dynax Corporation of Pound Ridge from 2011-2017.

Lou was born a scientist but defined himself as a husband, father, grandfather and uncle, prioritizing family above all other interests. In the 70s and 80s he was heavily engaged in Ridgefield Youth Sports, the Boy Scouts and St. Mary Parish. The arrival of grandchildren and great nieces and nephews compounded his joy, where each year was marked with annual family vacations and holidays.

As his children became adults, Lou and Carolyn pursued their passions for antique collecting and travel, taking frequent trips in pursuit of old photographs, post cards, tools and folk art. In addition, they loved international travel, taking many cycling trips through Europe and Latin America.

Even with failing health and declining mobility Lou frequently described himself as a “very lucky man”. His optimism was infectious and helped those around him re-frame his physical challenges into an opportunity to be grateful for the time we have, and the time we have with each other. We will miss him every day but will live on with the kindness and generosity he brought to everyone he encountered.

Family and friends will be received on Friday, October 27, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Kane Funeral Home; 25 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield. A private Christian burial and interment will take place in Attleboro, Massachusetts at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to Founder's Hall in Ridgefield, http://www.foundershall.org or the United Way, http://www.unitedway.org.

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