Emanuel (Manny) J. Abrams, 99

1st Lt. and Lead Navigator, 8th USAF, 392nd BG

Natick – It is with profound sadness that we announce the death of our beloved dad, father-in-law, grandfather, uncle and "saver of the world", Manny Abrams, on June 15, 2023, IN HIS 100TH YEAR, peacefully while at home and on his own terms.

How to encapsulate our dad? He was a decorated WW2 veteran, pacifist, violinist, music-lover of many genres, playful, businessman, Harvard University and Boston University School of Law alum,1970 airline hijacking survivor, and a sweet, loving, giving soul. The world never met a liberal non-profit that Manny didn't support. He was incapable of being stern, erring instead on the side of "silly and charming". Always. A loving dad, he often would play his daughters to sleep on his violin, standing at the base of the stairs, while upstairs we would drift to J. S. Bach's "Violin Concerto in A Minor". A lifelong music supporter, dad was a second violinist for 55 years with the Newton (MA) Symphony Orchestra and, later, the New Philharmonia Orchestra also in Newton, playing until he was 94 years old.

Dad was born on February 27, 1924 in Boston to Rabbi Samuel and Sarah (Friedman) Abrams and was raised in Brookline, MA. He met our beloved mom, Barbara Esme (Kessler) Abrams while both were Harvard undergrads in 1948, marrying in June of that year after a 6-week courtship. Their marriage lasted 61 years until her death in 2009, producing two loving and supportive daughters, Zoë and Katy. Gregarious and outgoing to our mom's more subdued nature, they were a team throughout Life's journey. Although the son of a Rabbi, dad's avowed religion was "The Universe".

Our dad always supported his daughters, encouraging our adventures and living vicariously through them. He was a strong swimmer, sailor and tennis player and encouraged our passions. He was a lover of poetry and the derivation of words. He was a scholar and studied British literature and history on his own and with Lifetime Learning classes, and with his group of beloved "Idlers" who met weekly. He loved to correct everyone's grammar, and misspellings on menus. He had a dictionary sitting next to him until his last days, whilst he took up his position in "the Command Center" on the couch. He enjoyed watching the swan on Pickerel Pond outside his living room window, and reading Shakespeare and poetry with his girlfriend, Bunny, who gave him great joy after Barbara died.

Independent (in large part) until his death, dad remained in his home of over 65 years in Natick by his choice, thanks to the tireless love and devotion of Zoë and Katy. He was also supported and aided by a truly amazing and loving team of aides, to whom we send our undying gratitude and love: The Wondrous and Amazing Suzanne Claflin (words cannot describe), Good Shepherd Community Care of Newton, MA (Carlos, Esther, Sharon and the entire team), HomeHelpers of Wayland, MA (beloved Simone and the entire administrative team), CareConnect/New Dawn Homecare (Priscilla and her team), and our sweet Patty. We would also like to express our thanks to Dr. Edward Legare of Wellesley, MA and his office for MANY years of loving care to both our parents. Dad could not have maintained his quality-of-life without all of you. Might everyone have such a supportive and loving end-of-life.

Manny is survived by his loving daughters Zoë (Bob) Alley of Barrington, RI, Katy (Steve) Abrams of Flagstaff, AZ, and his adoring grandchildren Cassandra (David) De Almo, Max Alley, Jared Stern and Galen Stern. He was predeceased by his wife Barbara (Kessler) Abrams, his parents, his brothers David and Robert Abrams, and his sister Hilda Robbins.

A celebration of his life will be held at a later date, as Manny has donated his body to medical science, as did our mom before him. Both donors to the very end. In Manny's memory, please send all donations in his name to:

Doctors Without Borders

PO Box 5030

Hagerstown, MD 21741-5030 (note his name on memo line) OR

www.doctorswithoutborders.org (Donations page)

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