Obituary: Adam Richard Kokas, 52, Of Ridgefield

Information and Photo Courtesy Jowdy-Kane Funeral Home

RIDGEFIELD, CT — Adam Richard Kokas, 52, of Ridgefield, died unexpectedly on Monday, July 10, 2023. He was the loving husband of Trisha (Zehner) Kokas, with whom he shared 21 years of marriage, and the devoted father of Hayden Kokas, a recent graduate of Ridgefield High School.

Adam was born on April 5, 1971 in Long Branch, New Jersey, the son of John and Beverly (Pearson) Kokas. He earned his diploma from Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft, NJ and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rutgers University. A cum laude graduate of the Boston University School of Law, he was a member of the New York and New Jersey Bars.

Adam practiced law as a partner at Kelley Drye & Warren LLP and Ropes & Gray LLP before joining Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings in 2006 as Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Chief Human Resources Officer and Secretary. In 2013, he was promoted to Executive Vice President. He served as Executive Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary for nearly 17 years until his retirement last month.

Adam enjoyed much success in his career and cultivated many strong relationships with colleagues. He was a member of numerous industry and trade organizations including the Cargo Airline Association, the Society of Corporate Governance and the International Air Transportation Association Legal Advisory Council. Adam received several awards for his legal work and leadership, including Governance Professional of the Year from Corporate Secretary Magazine (2016/2019) and Best Legal Department - Atlas Air from New York Law Journal (2018).

His work in air transportation brought him all over the world, and he took many trips across the country and to Europe, Asia and South America. Even though he loved to travel, he always looked forward to coming home to his family. A resident of Ridgefield for the past 14 years, he enjoyed golf, reading and spending time with his many friends. He followed politics, entertainment and current events closely and was always up for lively discussion and debate. He was a car enthusiast, a dedicated Phillies fan and a proud supporter and season ticket holder of Rutgers University Men’s Basketball.

In addition to his wife and son, Adam is survived by his parents, John and Beverly Kokas, of Bayville, NJ, his sisters Carly (Kokas) Parker and her husband Mike of Pottstown, PA and Jessie (Kokas) Camporeale and her husband Vinnie of Lanoka Harbor, NJ, his aunt Vicky Kokas of Whiting, NJ, his mother-in-law Linda Zehner of Reading, PA, his brother-in-law Jeffrey Zehner and his wife Dawn of Chapel Hill, NC, and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will be received on Sunday, July 23, 2023 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Kane Funeral Home; 25 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, July 24, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at Saint Mary's Church; 55 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield. Interment will follow in Saint Mary's Cemetery; 110 North Street, Ridgefield.

Contributions in Adam's memory may be made to the Rutgers University Men's Basketball Program.