Harry Abrams

ABRAMS: Harry Abrams died peacefully at his home in Oakland, Calif., on March 25, 2018, at the age of 98. Born to Sonia and Isaac Abramovitz in Ukraine on August 3, 1919, he immigrated to the U.S. when he was 4 years old. Harry was the beloved husband for 68 years of Leatrice (Lee) Abrams, who preceded him in death last year. He was the cherished father of daughters Ilene Abrams (Rick Ayers), Sally Abrams (Lynne Eggers) and Miriam Abrams; devoted Zeyde of Sonia Abrams, Max Abrams, and Esther Robinsun-Abrams, and sweet great-grandfather of Ada and Everett Abramoss. He was pre-deceased by his brother Lou Goldberg. Harry was an entrepreneur and started a few businesses, including Hydro-Nucleonics, selling water softeners; he was also a leading sales engineer for The Gage Company. After “retiring,” Harry launched a career in real estate, which he continued until he left Pittsburgh at age 93. He was committed to a life of helping others, leading the AARP free tax preparation service at the Squirrel Hill Library for many years, driving people to the polls at election time, and numerous other generous efforts. Harry was truly beloved by friends and family alike for his unwavering positivity, multitude of jokes (often with a Jewish theme – and more than likely a pun), generosity, and most importantly, a deep love and gratitude for all. He would often say he was “the luckiest man in the world” because of his family and friends. Harry was always supportive and enthusiastic about his family’s endeavors, no matter how offbeat, asking for updates and cheering us on. Five years ago, Harry and Lee left their many friends and extended family in Pittsburgh and moved to the San Francisco Bay Area to be with their daughters and grandchildren who had been living there for about 40 years. Shortly after moving to their new home at an assisted living residence, he launched a current events discussion group. While they missed their life in Pittsburgh, Lee and Harry delighted in being together with children and grandchildren, and were thrilled with the birth of two great-grandchildren. After a short decline, primarily since Lee died last year, Harry passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his daughters. Donations in Harry’s memory can be made to Jewish Family and Community Services East Bay at jfcs-eastbay.org

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