Elwyn Phillip Abrams, passed away peacefully on April 4, 2017. He lived a full, productive life built upon love, dedication, and sharing his considerable talents with others.
After completing his junior year at Male High School, Al transferred to and graduated from DuPont Manual. He then attended the University of Louisville until the outbreak of WW II. Determined to serve his country, Al volunteered for the Army Air Corps, the predecessor to the U.S. Air Force. He was just a few pounds lighter in those days, and his slender frame could not satisfy the minimum military weight requirement. So he went home, ate as many bananas as he could hold, and hurried back to the recruiting office. This time he made it. Until the end of the war, Tech. Sgt. Abrams saw action over the China-India-Burma theater as radio telegraph operator and waist gunner in a B-25 Mitchell Bomber.
At the end of the war Al was re-assigned to McClellan Field, California, where he was honorably discharged from military service in October, 1945. While there, he sent for his sweetheart, Annette Kushner, who would become his devoted wife and the mother of his three children. Back in civilian life, Al and Annette returned to Louisville and opened an over-the-counter grocery store in the “Haymarket” district on East Market Street. After selling the grocery, he worked first at a finance company and then as manager of a Kay’s jewelry store. A heart attack at age 34 nearly killed him, and he soon enrolled in the night school program at the University of Louisville. To help support his family, he studied photography, acquired professional equipment, built a home darkroom, and took gigs as a wedding and prom photographer. Working full-time during the day, and attending classes at night, Al earned a bachelor’s degree and teaching certificate from the School of Education.
As a newly-minted teacher, Al joined the staff at his alma mater, Dupont Manual. He taught English and History, and worked with special-needs students in the newly developed “sight saving” program. Over the decades of his work at Manual, he enlightened and inspired thousands of kids. While teaching there, Al returned to U of L and earned a Master’s Degree in Education. He was a great teacher, and is remembered by many of his students with fondness and affection. He once said that good teaching requires a teacher who understands how it feels not to understand.
After his retirement from Manual, Al worked in the School of Education at U of L. He had always encouraged the school to send him student teachers, and took great joy in helping them develop into fine educators. Some of his student teachers remained close friends until his death. In the School of Education, he “taught teachers how to teach teachers to teach.” During the mid- 80s, Al helped develop the Kentucky Teacher Internship Program, which is in use throughout the commonwealth to this day. Following his retirement from U of L, Al pursued his love of model trains, and soon had most of the basement humming, covered with HO tracks and landscape that he designed, built and
painted. He accumulated an impressive collection of locomotives and railroad cars, taking great delight in the clicks, clacks and whistles of his miniature world.
Al relished any opportunity to repay his community. Most recently he donated his services to the Louisville International Airport, where he served as a Louisville Ambassador at the visitor’s information desk.
Throughout his life, Al remained in contact and friendship with other “CBIs.” At age 90, he traveled with a group of veterans to China, where they were elcomed as heros by grateful survivors of the Japanese occupation. Al never tired of his greatest love; learning. At the time of his death at 95 and one-half years, he was teaching himself French.
Elwyn Phillip Abrams was born to Phillip and Lottie Abrams in Boston, Massachusetts on June 20, 1921. He is preceded in death by his wife, Annette and his daughter, Lorraine Janice, a retired teacher, and by his beloved daughter-in-law, Rosemary Cecil Abrams. He is survived by his two sons, Lawrence Kushner Abrams of Louisville and James Lowell Abrams of Brooklyn, New York, his granddaughter, Christine Marie Hill (Derek), his brother, George Abrams (Jean) and their children and grandchildren, all of Richmond, Virginia and by his dearly beloved lifelong friend, Sylvia Weinberg. He also leaves behind countless former students who read, write and think a little better because of his tireless efforts to educate them. One of the aforementioned individuals is heartbroken because Al isn’t here to correct and grade this paper.
The Abrams family thanks Ms. Peggy Briner and Mr. Clifford Briner for their invaluable assistance to Elwyn, the staff of Magnolia Springs, and the many dedicated doctors and nurses at the Veterans’ Administration Hospital and Baptist Health who expertly cared for him as he battled the cancer that took his life.
A grave-side service will be held at the Temple Cemetery, 2716 Preston Highway, on Sunday, April 9th at 1:00 pm, followed by visitation from 2-4 at Pearson’s , 149 Breckinridge Lane.
Donations to the American Cancer Society in Elwyn’s name would be
appreciated.
Pearson's Funeral Home
After completing his junior year at Male High School, Al transferred to and graduated from DuPont Manual. He then attended the University of Louisville until the outbreak of WW II. Determined to serve his country, Al volunteered for the Army Air Corps, the predecessor to the U.S. Air Force. He was just a few pounds lighter in those days, and his slender frame could not satisfy the minimum military weight requirement. So he went home, ate as many bananas as he could hold, and hurried back to the recruiting office. This time he made it. Until the end of the war, Tech. Sgt. Abrams saw action over the China-India-Burma theater as radio telegraph operator and waist gunner in a B-25 Mitchell Bomber.
At the end of the war Al was re-assigned to McClellan Field, California, where he was honorably discharged from military service in October, 1945. While there, he sent for his sweetheart, Annette Kushner, who would become his devoted wife and the mother of his three children. Back in civilian life, Al and Annette returned to Louisville and opened an over-the-counter grocery store in the “Haymarket” district on East Market Street. After selling the grocery, he worked first at a finance company and then as manager of a Kay’s jewelry store. A heart attack at age 34 nearly killed him, and he soon enrolled in the night school program at the University of Louisville. To help support his family, he studied photography, acquired professional equipment, built a home darkroom, and took gigs as a wedding and prom photographer. Working full-time during the day, and attending classes at night, Al earned a bachelor’s degree and teaching certificate from the School of Education.
As a newly-minted teacher, Al joined the staff at his alma mater, Dupont Manual. He taught English and History, and worked with special-needs students in the newly developed “sight saving” program. Over the decades of his work at Manual, he enlightened and inspired thousands of kids. While teaching there, Al returned to U of L and earned a Master’s Degree in Education. He was a great teacher, and is remembered by many of his students with fondness and affection. He once said that good teaching requires a teacher who understands how it feels not to understand.
After his retirement from Manual, Al worked in the School of Education at U of L. He had always encouraged the school to send him student teachers, and took great joy in helping them develop into fine educators. Some of his student teachers remained close friends until his death. In the School of Education, he “taught teachers how to teach teachers to teach.” During the mid- 80s, Al helped develop the Kentucky Teacher Internship Program, which is in use throughout the commonwealth to this day. Following his retirement from U of L, Al pursued his love of model trains, and soon had most of the basement humming, covered with HO tracks and landscape that he designed, built and
painted. He accumulated an impressive collection of locomotives and railroad cars, taking great delight in the clicks, clacks and whistles of his miniature world.
Al relished any opportunity to repay his community. Most recently he donated his services to the Louisville International Airport, where he served as a Louisville Ambassador at the visitor’s information desk.
Throughout his life, Al remained in contact and friendship with other “CBIs.” At age 90, he traveled with a group of veterans to China, where they were elcomed as heros by grateful survivors of the Japanese occupation. Al never tired of his greatest love; learning. At the time of his death at 95 and one-half years, he was teaching himself French.
Elwyn Phillip Abrams was born to Phillip and Lottie Abrams in Boston, Massachusetts on June 20, 1921. He is preceded in death by his wife, Annette and his daughter, Lorraine Janice, a retired teacher, and by his beloved daughter-in-law, Rosemary Cecil Abrams. He is survived by his two sons, Lawrence Kushner Abrams of Louisville and James Lowell Abrams of Brooklyn, New York, his granddaughter, Christine Marie Hill (Derek), his brother, George Abrams (Jean) and their children and grandchildren, all of Richmond, Virginia and by his dearly beloved lifelong friend, Sylvia Weinberg. He also leaves behind countless former students who read, write and think a little better because of his tireless efforts to educate them. One of the aforementioned individuals is heartbroken because Al isn’t here to correct and grade this paper.
The Abrams family thanks Ms. Peggy Briner and Mr. Clifford Briner for their invaluable assistance to Elwyn, the staff of Magnolia Springs, and the many dedicated doctors and nurses at the Veterans’ Administration Hospital and Baptist Health who expertly cared for him as he battled the cancer that took his life.
A grave-side service will be held at the Temple Cemetery, 2716 Preston Highway, on Sunday, April 9th at 1:00 pm, followed by visitation from 2-4 at Pearson’s , 149 Breckinridge Lane.
Donations to the American Cancer Society in Elwyn’s name would be
appreciated.
Pearson's Funeral Home
Elwyn Phillip Abrams, passed away peacefully on April 4, 2017. He lived a full, productive life built upon love, dedication, and sharing his considerable talents with others.
After completing his junior year at Male High School, Al transferred to and graduated from DuPont Manual. He then attended the University of Louisville until the outbreak of WW II. Determined to serve his country, Al volunteered for the Army Air Corps, the predecessor to the U.S. Air Force. He was just a few pounds lighter in those days, and his slender frame could not satisfy the minimum military weight requirement. So he went home, ate as many bananas as he could hold, and hurried back to the recruiting office. This time he made it. Until the end of the war, Tech. Sgt. Abrams saw action over the China-India-Burma theater as radio telegraph operator and waist gunner in a B-25 Mitchell Bomber.
At the end of the war Al was re-assigned to McClellan Field, California, where he was honorably discharged from military service in October, 1945. While there, he sent for his sweetheart, Annette Kushner, who would become his devoted wife and the mother of his three children. Back in civilian life, Al and Annette returned to Louisville and opened an over-the-counter grocery store in the “Haymarket” district on East Market Street. After selling the grocery, he worked first at a finance company and then as manager of a Kay’s jewelry store. A heart attack at age 34 nearly killed him, and he soon enrolled in the night school program at the University of Louisville. To help support his family, he studied photography, acquired professional equipment, built a home darkroom, and took gigs as a wedding and prom photographer. Working full-time during the day, and attending classes at night, Al earned a bachelor’s degree and teaching certificate from the School of Education.
As a newly-minted teacher, Al joined the staff at his alma mater, Dupont Manual. He taught English and History, and worked with special-needs students in the newly developed “sight saving” program. Over the decades of his work at Manual, he enlightened and inspired thousands of kids. While teaching there, Al returned to U of L and earned a Master’s Degree in Education. He was a great teacher, and is remembered by many of his students with fondness and affection. He once said that good teaching requires a teacher who understands how it feels not to understand.
After his retirement from Manual, Al worked in the School of Education at U of L. He had always encouraged the school to send him student teachers, and took great joy in helping them develop into fine educators. Some of his student teachers remained close friends until his death. In the School of Education, he “taught teachers how to teach teachers to teach.” During the mid- 80s, Al helped develop the Kentucky Teacher Internship Program, which is in use throughout the commonwealth to this day. Following his retirement from U of L, Al pursued his love of model trains, and soon had most of the basement humming, covered with HO tracks and landscape that he designed, built and
painted. He accumulated an impressive collection of locomotives and railroad cars, taking great delight in the clicks, clacks and whistles of his miniature world.
Al relished any opportunity to repay his community. Most recently he donated his services to the Louisville International Airport, where he served as a Louisville Ambassador at the visitor’s information desk.
Throughout his life, Al remained in contact and friendship with other “CBIs.” At age 90, he traveled with a group of veterans to China, where they were elcomed as heros by grateful survivors of the Japanese occupation. Al never tired of his greatest love; learning. At the time of his death at 95 and one-half years, he was teaching himself French.
Elwyn Phillip Abrams was born to Phillip and Lottie Abrams in Boston, Massachusetts on June 20, 1921. He is preceded in death by his wife, Annette and his daughter, Lorraine Janice, a retired teacher, and by his beloved daughter-in-law, Rosemary Cecil Abrams. He is survived by his two sons, Lawrence Kushner Abrams of Louisville and James Lowell Abrams of Brooklyn, New York, his granddaughter, Christine Marie Hill (Derek), his brother, George Abrams (Jean) and their children and grandchildren, all of Richmond, Virginia and by his dearly beloved lifelong friend, Sylvia Weinberg. He also leaves behind countless former students who read, write and think a little better because of his tireless efforts to educate them. One of the aforementioned individuals is heartbroken because Al isn’t here to correct and grade this paper.
The Abrams family thanks Ms. Peggy Briner and Mr. Clifford Briner for their invaluable assistance to Elwyn, the staff of Magnolia Springs, and the many dedicated doctors and nurses at the Veterans’ Administration Hospital and Baptist Health who expertly cared for him as he battled the cancer that took his life.
A grave-side service will be held at the Temple Cemetery, 2716 Preston Highway, on Sunday, April 9th at 1:00 pm, followed by visitation from 2-4 at Pearson’s , 149 Breckinridge Lane.
Donations to the American Cancer Society in Elwyn’s name would be
appreciated.
Pearson's Funeral Home
After completing his junior year at Male High School, Al transferred to and graduated from DuPont Manual. He then attended the University of Louisville until the outbreak of WW II. Determined to serve his country, Al volunteered for the Army Air Corps, the predecessor to the U.S. Air Force. He was just a few pounds lighter in those days, and his slender frame could not satisfy the minimum military weight requirement. So he went home, ate as many bananas as he could hold, and hurried back to the recruiting office. This time he made it. Until the end of the war, Tech. Sgt. Abrams saw action over the China-India-Burma theater as radio telegraph operator and waist gunner in a B-25 Mitchell Bomber.
At the end of the war Al was re-assigned to McClellan Field, California, where he was honorably discharged from military service in October, 1945. While there, he sent for his sweetheart, Annette Kushner, who would become his devoted wife and the mother of his three children. Back in civilian life, Al and Annette returned to Louisville and opened an over-the-counter grocery store in the “Haymarket” district on East Market Street. After selling the grocery, he worked first at a finance company and then as manager of a Kay’s jewelry store. A heart attack at age 34 nearly killed him, and he soon enrolled in the night school program at the University of Louisville. To help support his family, he studied photography, acquired professional equipment, built a home darkroom, and took gigs as a wedding and prom photographer. Working full-time during the day, and attending classes at night, Al earned a bachelor’s degree and teaching certificate from the School of Education.
As a newly-minted teacher, Al joined the staff at his alma mater, Dupont Manual. He taught English and History, and worked with special-needs students in the newly developed “sight saving” program. Over the decades of his work at Manual, he enlightened and inspired thousands of kids. While teaching there, Al returned to U of L and earned a Master’s Degree in Education. He was a great teacher, and is remembered by many of his students with fondness and affection. He once said that good teaching requires a teacher who understands how it feels not to understand.
After his retirement from Manual, Al worked in the School of Education at U of L. He had always encouraged the school to send him student teachers, and took great joy in helping them develop into fine educators. Some of his student teachers remained close friends until his death. In the School of Education, he “taught teachers how to teach teachers to teach.” During the mid- 80s, Al helped develop the Kentucky Teacher Internship Program, which is in use throughout the commonwealth to this day. Following his retirement from U of L, Al pursued his love of model trains, and soon had most of the basement humming, covered with HO tracks and landscape that he designed, built and
painted. He accumulated an impressive collection of locomotives and railroad cars, taking great delight in the clicks, clacks and whistles of his miniature world.
Al relished any opportunity to repay his community. Most recently he donated his services to the Louisville International Airport, where he served as a Louisville Ambassador at the visitor’s information desk.
Throughout his life, Al remained in contact and friendship with other “CBIs.” At age 90, he traveled with a group of veterans to China, where they were elcomed as heros by grateful survivors of the Japanese occupation. Al never tired of his greatest love; learning. At the time of his death at 95 and one-half years, he was teaching himself French.
Elwyn Phillip Abrams was born to Phillip and Lottie Abrams in Boston, Massachusetts on June 20, 1921. He is preceded in death by his wife, Annette and his daughter, Lorraine Janice, a retired teacher, and by his beloved daughter-in-law, Rosemary Cecil Abrams. He is survived by his two sons, Lawrence Kushner Abrams of Louisville and James Lowell Abrams of Brooklyn, New York, his granddaughter, Christine Marie Hill (Derek), his brother, George Abrams (Jean) and their children and grandchildren, all of Richmond, Virginia and by his dearly beloved lifelong friend, Sylvia Weinberg. He also leaves behind countless former students who read, write and think a little better because of his tireless efforts to educate them. One of the aforementioned individuals is heartbroken because Al isn’t here to correct and grade this paper.
The Abrams family thanks Ms. Peggy Briner and Mr. Clifford Briner for their invaluable assistance to Elwyn, the staff of Magnolia Springs, and the many dedicated doctors and nurses at the Veterans’ Administration Hospital and Baptist Health who expertly cared for him as he battled the cancer that took his life.
A grave-side service will be held at the Temple Cemetery, 2716 Preston Highway, on Sunday, April 9th at 1:00 pm, followed by visitation from 2-4 at Pearson’s , 149 Breckinridge Lane.
Donations to the American Cancer Society in Elwyn’s name would be
appreciated.
Pearson's Funeral Home
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