Charles Abraham (August 14th, 1935 – July 26th, 2019)
Charles “Chuck” Edward Abraham, devoted husband, loving father and dear friend to many, died on July 26th, 2019 in Branford, CT, at the age of 83. The cause was Alzheimer’s disease. Chuck was born in Grand Rapids, MI, on August 14th, 1935. He grew up in an Arab-American community there, attended High School in Detroit and graduated with a BA in Political Science from Wayne State University. At Wayne State, Chuck met Kay Aniel Edwards and they married on January 26th, 1957. Upon graduating later that year, they moved to New York City where Chuck pursued a PhD in Japanese Political History at Columbia University while working a variety of jobs. They had two daughters, Nancy and Diane, before moving to Montclair, NJ, in 1972, where they lived for 23 years.
A man of many talents and interests, Chuck held various positions in business over the years including, Vice President of Peterson’s Ltd, a tobacco importing company. He started his own computer software company in New Jersey, and spent 16 years running Old Saw Mill Farm, a Hudson Valley farm business in Germantown, NY, where he and Kay resided since 2001. Chuck served on two years on the Germantown Zoning Board of Appeals. Following his diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, he and Kay moved to Branford, CT, in 2017 to be closer to their daughter Diane and her family.
Chuck will be remembered as a friend to everyone with a gregarious, kind and welcoming spirit. He had a sharp mind, entrepreneurial drive and a deep knowledge of history, as well as practical knowledge of how to do – or learn to do – almost anything. Curious, optimistic and always up for adventure, Chuck had an insatiable zest for life. He was a great conversationalist who could talk to anyone and often regaled family and friends with his vivid tales and insightful musings. Even after “retirement” he never stopped working. He was passionate about the Hudson Valley area and sustainable farming. He pursued many interests over the years, including his love of travel. With his family he visited over a dozen countries, and he and Kay spent 3½ years touring the US and Canada in an RV during the late ‘90s. He also loved sailing in the waters of Long Island Sound, Great Peconic Bay and Maine. He spoke Arabic, German and Japanese. He was a lifelong Democrat, involved in many local and national political and social justice causes, and he avidly supported the political work of his wife, Kay. He loved music and enjoyed singing, particularly classic songs of the ‘30s and ‘40s.
He is survived by his beloved wife of over 62 years, Kay (Edwards); his devoted daughters, Nancy and Diane; his sons-in-law, Colin Brown and Christopher Newlan; as well as grandchildren, Lucy, Sean, Erin and Claire. He was predeceased by his brother, John Abraham. Other survivors include a brother, Shannar “Shanney” Abraham; many nieces and nephews, including James Abraham and grandniece Jessica Abraham, who reside in New York City; and numerous lifelong friends whom he treasured deeply. Arrangements were handled by Abbey Cremation Services in Rocky Hill, CT. A memorial will be held in the Fall. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Connecticut Hospice in Branford, CT.
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