Richard John Adam

Adam, Richard John
Passed away peacefully after a very short illness on 24 September 2024, aged 77. Loved brother and brother in law of Doug and Colleen, Pete and Jill, and Neil and Joanne. Loved uncle of Tom, Mike, Matt, Rebecca, Kirsty and Julia. Special friend of the Buckley-Gorman family. In lieu of flowers, donations to The Cancer Society would be appreciated and made online at https://www.cancer.org.nz/donate-now/ Messages to the Adam family may be made online at www.lychgate.co.nz/upcoming-funerals or posted c/- 306 Willis St, Aro Valley, Wellington, 6011. A gathering to celebrate Richard’s life will be held at The Pickle Jar, 5 Parkvale Road Karori on Sunday 29 September at 2pm. Please bring your memories and photos for sharing. A private cremation has been held.

TRIBUTES

Denise Matthews
In February I reconnected with Richard again having visited Doug and Colleen in Tanzania at the same time many years ago. Then we shared exciting adventures touring that country. Even though we had not been in touch since then Richard opened his home and his heart to me. He cooked for me and we spent an evening talking about many things including the end of our lives. I never expected his to be so soon.
He described himself as someone “unduly influenced by a Scottish Presbyterian background” but all I saw was his gift of hospitality, his sense of humour, justice and his loyalty to friends and family. When I saw him again a couple of weeks later I had had an accident and he patiently sat with me for hours in A&E, got me food and drink and refused to leave until I was treated. We spent a lovely final day together as he took me on a tour of Wellington ending with a wonderful meal at Tom and Juno’s restaurant where his love of good food was clear. Such happy memories of the best of men. Goodbye Richard the world is poorer without you. My thoughts and prayers are with all as you gather to remember him. Denise

Janet Tremewan

I was shocked and sad to read that Richard had died. He was the quintessential neighbour; cooperative, friendly and with a sense of humour. Farewell Richard and my condolences to your family.
Janet – ex-neighbour from 7 Paparata Street.

Karolin Potter (Potts)

I was one of the large group of people who were great friends in Trade and Industry in the 70s whose politics and interests were similar and my memories are of laughter and affection. One of the especially daft occasions was when the building was being recarpeted and a manager was told to get the phones cut off and he went round the building with a large pair of scissors and cut them off. The Post Office as it was then were so incensed they left us with no telephones for several days. Several of us went to the first cricket test where NZ beat the MCC at the Basin Reserve. We saw every ball bowled and were there even for some practices. And we spent far too much time at the pub. Dick was the kindest person I have ever met. He was thoughtful and generous. He supported people and families and contributed to people lives without any fanfare and indeed would have been horrified if his generosity was ever publicly acknowledged. He forgave transgressions and was loyal to a fault. Distance meant that I have not seen him in recent years but I shall always remember when we were young the absolute decency of Dick the goodest man I have ever known. Much love to him

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