Adam Todd Jr. of Storrs, Connecticut passed away quietly on October 9th. Adam was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts on November 9th 1923. He was the son of Adam Todd Sr. and Gertrude Lahey Todd and beloved husband of Elaine Todd.
Elaine passed in 1991 after 43 years of marriage. Adam attended Lawrence High School and graduated in 1941. Throughout his childhood and teenage years he worked with his father at the family run Beltline Gas Station.
While at school and not working at the station, Adam worked at developing his artistic ability. Adam became so talented he received a scholarship to the Massachusetts School of Art, and one of his pieces was displayed prominently at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Adam leveraged his artistic ability and landed his first position at WT Grant, a retail department store in Lawrence.
Adam loved his work and in turn, found himself managing four WT Grant locations around Boston. While at WT Grant, he met the love of his life, Elaine Callahan, and the two married in 1948. The inseparable pair had two daughters, Susan and Beverly, and moved to Willimantic, Connecticut in 1956.
Elaine and Adam welcomed their third child, Adam Todd III shortly thereafter. Always looking to open his own business and capitalize on his skill sets, Adam proudly opened up Todd’s Department Store in 1959. Todd’s would become a Willimantic landmark for more than 32 years.
Adam’s children and grandchildren take tremendous pride in telling people that their first job was at Todd’s. His children and grandchildren regularly joked that we never saw him sit down while working the floor and assisting his customers and employees. Adam was an active member of the community serving in the Rotary, the Elks, the Chamber of Commerce as well as a on the Board of Willimantic Savings and Loan.
Elaine and Adam were also members of the Willimantic Country Club. Adam won the Senior Golf club championship in 1992. After closing Todd’s, Adam again pursued his artistic career by creating pen and ink portraits for customers around the Northeast.
He illustrated a book entitled, Nightsong and Raven . His pen and ink ability was admired by many and his work was featured in The Artist Magazine. In addition to pen and ink, Adam also created designs for the UConn Co-op where many of his designs were sold on T-shirts and sweatshirts and worn by students, faculty and UConn fans everywhere.
Adam loved UConn Women’s Basketball and never missed a game. A son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, a true artist and entrepreneur. Adam is loved and will be deeply missed by friends and family.
He was predeceased by his brother Arthur Roberge and sister Pauline Clark. Adam is survived by his sister Thelma Kennedy. He is also survived by his children Susan Reardon and her husband John, Beverly Todd and her husband Michael Schreiber , and Adam Todd and his wife Allison.
Adam also has two grandchildren, John Colin Reardon and his wife Wendy, and Todd Schreiber and his partner Randall Yesmont. Adam also had three great grandchildren, John Benson, Norman Bud and Reagan Todd Reardon. A celebration of his life will be held at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers please make donations in memory of Adam to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. www. stjude.org/give.
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