George Paul Adams Sr., 89, of Sanford, died peacefully Sunday, October 11th in the comfort of his home surrounded by his loving family.

George was born in Sanford on January 14, 1920 to Paul and Anna Adams. George would devote the following 89 years to serving his country, his community and his family.

George attended local schools and worked in his father's business prior to enlisting in the Coast Guard in 1943. While in the service, he helped pilot troop transport landing craft during the invasions of Normandy and of St. Raphael in southern France. His ship, the USS Bayfield was the flagship for both invasions.

Upon his return home from the war, George devoted his energies to growing his father's business, Paul V. Adams Trucking. The foundations for Adams Trucking were laid in 1906, when Paul Adams began delivering bananas by pushcart to local families and businesses. George and his brothers developed the business into one of the largest trucking companies in New England. He took great pride in knowing that the "Adams Trucking" logo could be seen on trailers from coast to coast.

After selling the company to Auclair Trucking in 1974, George focused his efforts on housing developments and bringing new businesses to Sanford. He opened the Adams Business Park in 1976, working until 1999 when he turned over leadership to his children.

George was an active Rotarian, a recepient of the Paul Harris Fellow Award. He was a Mason, a member of SCORE, a member of the Sanford Chamber of Commerce, a Town Meeting member, and a Warrant Committee member. He was active in establishing the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC). George also served on the board of directors for the former Sanford Trust Company Bank. He remained on the board throughout its many mergers, eventually serving on the board of Fleet Bank. George will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years Ruth Smith Adams of Sanford; his son George Adams Jr. and his wife Patty of Shapleigh, their three children Jennifer Rodi and her husband Ron of Chicago, IL, Ryan Adams, his wife Leah and their son Theo of Sanford, and Lauren Adams of Portsmouth; his daughter Deborah Doiron and her husband Joe of Sanford, their four sons Johnathan of Portland, OR, Joseph of Boston, MA, Robert of Buffalo, NY and David of St. Louis, MO; his daughter Nancy Beal and her husband Carl of Sanford, and their two children Matthew of Portsmouth, and Kelsey of Sanford; and his son Andrew Adams and his wife Bridget of Sanford, and their two children Andrew and Samantha of Sanford; and his two sisters Christina Boston of North Berwick, and Mary LaPlante of Exeter, NH.

Visiting hours will be held on Friday, October 16th from 5:00 – 8:00 PM at the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street in Springvale. The funeral service will take place at the funeral home on Saturday, October 17th at 11:00 AM.