Pat Adamson

Patrick Lewis Adamson, a man whose warmth, dedication and quick wit left an indelible mark on everyone he met, passed away on May 25, 2026, following a courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, to Arthur and Esther (née Zuehlsdorf), Pat brought a bit of Midwestern charm, a legendary sense of humor, and a deep love for family wherever life took him. He attended Tremper High School, Class of ‘65, and earned admittance to the Air Force Academy, later earning a degree in Mathematics from the University of Wisconsin. It was there, on the UW-Parkside campus, that he met the love of his life, Deborah Cantway. Destiny was nearly thwarted the night before their first date when, in the parking lot of his Piggly Wiggly workplace, he distractedly drove his car into a snow-covered light pole. Fate stepped in with a best friend’s borrowed car — and the rest is history. They married on September 18, 1971, at St. Mark Catholic Church. Together, Pat and Debi raised four children in Royal Palm Beach, FL, and celebrated more than 54 years of marriage.

Pat’s brilliant mind unlocked opportunities at American Motors Corporation and Pratt & Whitney, where, honestly, his children still aren’t sure what he did as a systems analyst, but we know he did it well. While at Westside Reprographics, he tapped into his passion for photography and took great pride in restoring photos.

An incredible father and fixture of youth sports in the 1980s, 90s and 2000s, he spent countless hours on playing fields as a coach, spectator and referee. Noticing a lack of opportunities for girls to play youth sports, Pat founded the city’s slow-pitch softball league. He coached all of his children in baseball, softball, soccer and basketball, and the incredible impact of being "Coach Pat" to hundreds of young teammates is a legacy that endures to this day. Beyond coaching, he trained a generation of soccer referees and was named Florida’s “Senior Referee of the Year” in 1997.

Pat clearly discovered a method to have more hours in the day, because he also established and managed a successful after-school program for Crestwood Middle School and organized soccer tournaments for Special Olympics. He served as an usher at Our Lady Queen of the Apostles Catholic Church and volunteered at the annual church festival.

Crafty, creative and quietly mischievous, Pat enjoyed performing magic tricks in his youth and carried that playful spirit into adulthood through lighthearted pranks and joyous traditions. His annual “Gift of Light” ensured no family member was left in the dark, and he enjoyed bottling his famous homemade Irish Cream, which he gladly shared with friends, yet kept the recipe a secret. For many years, he transformed the family home's facade into an impressive Halloween display complete with innovative special effects. And each Christmas, his MacGyver-meets-Clark-Griswold skills shone brightly with an elaborate display of holiday lights.

Little known fact: He authored four books, each a coveted unicum gifted to a son or daughter upon graduating college. Hardbound with detailed covers, every single page of “The Wit & Wisdom of Pat Adamson,” “Everything I Know About Geography,” “My Favorite Dance Moves” and “Injury Avoidance” was intentionally — and hilariously — left blank.

His legacy of love and humor carry on through his devoted wife, Debi, and his four children — Erin (Tim), Joel (Dorinda), Bree (Brett), and Paul (Jenn). He is survived by nine grandchildren, who affectionately call him "PatPat." He is survived by his brother, Daniel Wade, and other family members in Wisconsin, as well as a wonderful, widespread community of former players, neighbors, and lifelong friends.

Our sincerest gratitude goes out to the talented doctors, nurses and caregivers at the WPB VA Hospice for the comfort provided to Pat and his family during his final weeks.

Please join us for memorial services:

Celebration of Life
Friday, June 26 • 4–6pm
Commons Park Banquet Hall
11600 Poinciana Blvd • Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411

Funeral Mass
Saturday, June 27 • 11am
Our Lady Queen of the Apostles Catholic Church • Royal Palm Beach

Attendees are encouraged to wear Pat’s favorite color, green, or any colorful attire.

In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting your local Parkinson Association or youth sports league.