Beloved Recreation Supervisor, Irving Adams, Passes Away Four Months Before 30th Anniversary

Delray Beach, FL – For 29 years, Irving Leandra Adams, Jr. was a welcomed presence at the Delray Beach Community Center, where he served as a Recreation Supervisor in the City’s Parks and Recreation Department. He was also known as the front desk attendant, recognized for his trademark shorts and resonant voice.

Irving Leandra Adams Jr.

On February 28, four months before his 30th anniversary, that distinctive voice was silenced when he died in his sleep at the age of 62.

“We are really missing his energy in the building,” said Parks Superintendent Prentice Mobley, who has known Mr. Adams for 18 years. “He was a respectful and kind gentleman. Always dependable. He would stay late or work overtime if you needed him.”

A native of Buffalo, NY, Mr. Adams relocated to Delray Beach after graduating from The Albany Academy. His sister, Noveta Adams, said that he also graduated from Florida State University. As the eldest of seven children, he shouldered the responsibilities and made the sacrifices associated with being the firstborn and a big brother, simultaneously.

“He was always quiet; I was the total opposite,” she said. “He loved his sports, was a Miami Dolphins and NY Yankees fan, and loved history. That was his thing.”

Whether coaching kids in the gymnasium or working the front desk, Mr. Adams was a constant source of inspiration and support for everyone around him, his colleagues said. His ability to connect with people of all ages, especially through sports, made him a beloved figure in Delray Beach.

Mr. Adams did not drive and could often be seen walking along Lake Ida Road to work. However, he was always punctual, his supervisors said. 

“He would take the bus or a taxi, always the same taxi driver,” Mobley recalled. “He was consistent.”

Mr. Adams was preceded in death by his parents, Irving Leandra Adams, Sr., and Ruth Daniels Adams. 

He is survived by his siblings Noveta Adams, Joseph Adams, Addie Adams Guillaume (Vivens Guillaume), James Adams, Samuel Adams, and Julie Adams Fenderson (Burt Fenderson), as well as his niece, Jaia Ruth, and nephew, Robert.

A viewing will be held on Saturday, March 8, at 11 a.m. at Straghn & Sons Funeral Home Chapel, with services following at 12 noon.

C. Ron Allen can be reached at [email protected] or 561-665-0151.

Related