Adam Vincent Shemat, 46, passed away unexpectedly on June 22, 2026, in Boston, after a brief but hard-fought battle with Burkitt's lymphoma. Born on May 2, 1980, in Kearney, Nebraska, Adam's life was defined by laughter, strength, and love for his family.

From an early age, Adam radiated wild energy, strength, and joy. He graduated from Kearney High School in 1997, the beginning of a journey marked by an enduring commitment to personal growth. In early 2005 Adam moved to Maine where his pursuit of knowledge led him to earn a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Maine Augusta and a certificate in plumbing technology from Washington County Community College. Ever ambitious, hungry for learning, and never able to sit still long, he was working toward a master's degree in business administration from Colorado Technical University at the time of his passing.

Adam's greatest pride and joy resided in his family. He is survived by his partner Marianne Ellinwood, who he met in 2005, and together, they raised two amazing and beautiful children, Ava Lyn and Axl Henry Adam. Whether encouraging Ava to chase her dreams, or coaching Axl on the field, Adam's love for his children was unwavering.

Adam is also survived by his mother, Barbara Damratowski (Kevin), and father, Steven C. Rom-Shemiot, along with his brother, Aaron Shemat (Keshia), grandmother, Cyndie Baker, niece Kalli, nephew Kyler, and niece Lydia; as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Adam was predeceased by his grandparents, Richard Braden, Louisa Braden, and Jack Shemat.

Adam's spirit was much more than any list of hobbies, though his favorite activities were plenty: fishing patiently by the lake, creating new recipes in the kitchen, working up a sweat in the gym, drawn-out debates over sports, and the endless soundtrack of old movies or music that filled the home. He was a devoted jokester, never passing up the opportunity to deliver a dad joke or turn the any moment-be it a push up contest or a spontaneous hill-rolling challenge-into a playful competition.

Despite the battles he sometimes faced within, Adam remained the strong, hardworking, and resilient person everyone knew. He found simple joy in everyday moments, maintained a positive attitude even in times of hardship, and never let life dampen his innate curiosity or the youthful spirit that made him, undeniably, a big kid at heart.

Above all, Adam's proudest accomplishments will always be Ava and Axl. He was never happier than when he was with them-whether he was making them laugh, playing games, cheering them on, or turning an ordinary day into an adventure. Everything he did was with them in mind, and he wanted nothing more than to see them happy, loved and filled with laughter.

In a world that often feels rushed, divided and devoid of compassion, Adam's passing reminds us of what really matters. Laugh often, love deeply, lend a hand without being asked, and never take ourselves too seriously. If there's one thing we can carry forward from Adam's life, it's to be a little kinder, a little more patient, and enjoy the simple things. Hug your family tighter, call your friends, tell the terrible dad joke, take the fishing trip, cheer the loudest, and don't wait for tomorrow to let the people you love know how much they mean to you.

Family and friends are invited to gather in memory of Adam at Mays Funeral Home, 26 Church St., Calais, Maine, on July 12, 2026, at 1:00 pm for visitation with a memorial service at 2:00 pm. Please join us after the service at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 2 Park St, Calais, Maine, to celebrate Adam the way he would've wanted-with good food, great stories, laughter, and maybe even a few terrible dad jokes.

To all the families, friends, neighbors, the baseball community, local businesses and every person who offered a prayer, sent a message, donated or simply showed up, we would like to express our heartfelt thanks for the love and support that has carried us through the hardest days of our lives. Watching our community rally around Adam and our family has been both humbling and comforting; your generosity and kindness will never be forgotten.

We understand that not everyone will be able to be with us in person. To ensure everyone has the opportunity to honor and remember him, a livestream of the service will be available via Adam's memorial page.

We encourage all who knew and loved Adam to share their memories and photos of him on his memorial page at www.MaysFuneralHome.com