Jim Adams

An article from the Montreal Gazette, July 13, 2006.:

 

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Jim Adams described as fire chief from Central Casting Last person to run Westmount department had 'no-nonsense manner, heart of gold'   ALAN HUSTAK The Gazette Thursday, July 13, 2006 If you couldn't find Jim Adams on the job at the fire station in Westmount, he was probably at a rink in LaSalle, coaching minor hockey. Adams was the last chief of the Westmount fire department before the 22 municipal fire departments on Montreal Island were amalgamated into a single force four years ago. A firefighter for 38 years, 12 of them as chief, Adams was 66 when he died Monday, apparently of a heart attack, in Ottawa Civic Hospital. "He was the fire chief right out of Central Casting," former Westmount mayor Peter Trent said. "He was perfect for the job. "In his uniform, he looked the part. He had a gruff voice, a no- nonsense attitude, and a heart of gold. We all respected him tremendously." James Adams was born in Montreal on April, 11, 1940. His father worked as an athletic trainer at McGill University and later with the Montreal Alouettes football club. Adams and his younger brother grew up in Verdun. Adams joined the Westmount fire department in 1963. He was promoted through the ranks, becoming a lieutenant in 1975, a captain in 1980 and chief in 1990. "He was an extraordinary leader," Westmount city manager Bruce St. Louis said. "On the exterior, he was as tough as nails, but inside he was humble. He had the biggest heart. "The test of a true leader is not only to lead, but to care for the people he leads," St. Louis added. "Jim cared deeply about everyone in the department; he took their well-being to heart. "When he made his mind up about something, he defended his opinions, but in the end he was a true team player." With fewer than 10 fires a year in Westmount, the fire department merged with the city's public security department in 1993. Adams's title changed to manager of protective services, although everyone still called him "Chief." Under his direction, firefighters assisted residents who were locked out of their houses, engaged in snow removal and were often called to rescue pets. When the Montreal megacity was created in 2002, Adams retired. He and his wife moved to Cornwall, Ont. "There's no goddamn way I want to go to Montreal," he said at the time. "I started as a firefighter in Westmount, and I want to retire as one. "Firefighters in Westmount did an awful lot of things in the community that weren't in their job description, and they did it gladly." During all his years with the department, Adams never lived in Westmount. He was a resident of LaSalle, where he coached minor hockey, organized LaSalle's first female hockey tournament in 1982, and served as president of the LaSalle Minor Hockey League. In recognition of his community involvement, he was given Air Canada's Golden Heart Award, named LaSalle's personality of the year in 1987 and awarded the Governor-General's 125th Anniversary of Confederation Medal. Adams is survived by his wife, Elizabeth McIntyre, whom he married in 1962, and by their two daughters and a son. Mourners can pay their respects today from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Collins Clarke MacGillivray White funeral home, 5644 Bannantyne Ave. in Verdun. The funeral is to be held tomorrow at 2 p.m. at St. John's Presbyterian Church, 28 2nd St. E., Cornwall. ahustak@thegazette.canwest.com Obituary of Jim Adams. © The Gazette (Montreal) 2006