Homer Mat Adams III “Mat”
9/30/1937 – 12/21/2024
Survived by his loving wife of 64 years Linda, son Bill and Daughter Cathy, Bill’s family Grandson Phillip(wife Amanda, Great Grandsons Brady & Tripp) Adams, Grandson Brandon (Wife Jade, Great Granddaughter Marley & Great Grandson Hendrix) Adams and Granddaughter Samantha (Husband Peter & Great Granddaughter Meara) Dapier and brother John (wife Missy) Adams and family.
Born in Springfield, IL to H. Mat II and Catherine Adams, Mat Lived in Illinois, New York, Liberia Africa and New Jersey growing up, with a special place in his heart for the family cottage on the Jersey Shore. Mat went to Metuchen High School and then attended Norwich University where he graduated into active-duty service in the US Army as a 1 st Lieutenant, Armor at Ft. Knox, KY.
Upon his honorable separation, Mat joined Kodak and excelled as a Territory Salesmen with the US Military and then in Product Promotion, creating several award-winning national campaigns. After a short stop at Deridder, he joined Blair/BBDO & GM DuBois Advertising Agency. With Mat’s help, Blair/BBDO went on to become an international advertising powerhouse landing envy-worthy clients and launching several local agencies and successful advertising careers.
In 1987, Mat purchased the small advertising agency Healy-Schutte with business with partner David Colway, becoming Adams Colway & Associates and creating the “Five Star Process”. By 1997, using the Five Star to land and expand several Fortune 500 and numerous local Clients, AC&A had grown from 20 to 250+ employees and was sold to private investors and became Concentrix.
Retirement found Mat moving to Florida, starting and selling a vitamin store, starting and serving as President of a local Rotary Club and becoming a successful Real Estate salesperson before finally moving back to Rochester to escape the heat and be closer to family. Mat was an active non-profit volunteer with many local organizations, served on the Board of Monroe Golf Club and dedicated countless hours to the Rochester Rotary Club, becoming President in 1997 and instrumental in the continuing development of the Rochester Rotary Sunshine Camp.
Mat was extremely Patriotic and loved his family, the Jersey Shore and the Buffalo Bills. He was a part owner of the Rochester Americans in the late 1970s and enjoyed reading, grilling, golfing, power boating (naming his 3 boats “Double Bogey”) and a good Martini. A highlight of Mat’s life was playing a round of golf with Tiger Woods in the Monroe Invitational in 1993.
A celebration of life will be held sometime in the future. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Rochester Rotary 180 Linden Oaks, # 200, Rochester, New York, 14625, or Alzheimer’s Association 225 North Michigan Ave, Floor 17 (Donor services), Chicago Illinois 60601 in his memory.
Comments
12 responses to “Adams III, Homer “Mat””
Miss and love you so much.. will always remember the wonderful life we had.. 64 years with you were the best.. hugs and kisses..
Perry and I send our very deepest sympathies to you and your family. Many years ago we all attended Brighton High School and remained friends all these years. Reunions were always fun when we could caught up on your travels through life with Mat. He was one of the nicest guys.
May god bless your family. Love, Linda and Perry. 🙏
The Veterans Outreach Center extends our deepest sympathy in Homer’s passing.
We acknowledge and are truly grateful for his service to our country.
Mat was an inspiration to me when we met at Blair/BBDO in 1974. His disciplines learned in the Army and later at Kodak made him a gifted strategist in marketing communications. We worked together formulating advertising and promotional campaigns for many fine companies such as Manufacrurers Hanover, Cortland Line Company, Eastman Kodak, Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation, and various divisions of Bausch & Lomb, to name a few. Mat taught me how to run an ad agency, and was a delightful business partner for years. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Thank You John. Much Appreciated. (};
Mat’s passing is a sad moment but gives us time to reflect on his influence on or lives . Mat is an Army Veteran, Norwich University graduate, married to Linda, a BrightonHS graduate and contributor to several local businesses.
His passing is a sad moment and my heart and sympathies go to Linda and the whole Adams Family.
Deepest sympathies and prayers to Linda, Bill and Cathy and family. Fond memories of our time at Fort Knox, KY.
Ann Fleischmann
Mat made my career what it is in so many ways. First by modeling and mentoring on success in accoount service and then supporting my return to the creative side of the business as copy chief and then creative director of AC&A…he even recommended me to name and help develop the branding of its successor.
I loved you Mat.
I enjoyed many a good conversation with Matt at Rotary meetings . Matt was smart, witty and funny. He would reserve his opinion after listening and gaining good understanding of the subject. I know how much he loved his family and his lovely Linda. Sending peace and prayers.
So sorry to hear of Mat’s passing. He was among a very small group of people who I would classify as significant positive influences in my life. Please advise me if his celebration of life will be open to people outside the family as I would like very much to participate in that event.
My sincere condolences Linda and to the rest of your families and friends.
Much Love
SVB
Linda, I had the pleasure of being a client of Blair. I remember Mat as a great leader, sound business strategist and an honest and great guy. He wore dress shirts with HMA on the cuff but I didn’t know the H stood for Homer. He was very helpful to me in my career and he will be missed.