Louis J. Abrams

Retired Administrator
 

Louis J. Abrams, 92, went to be with the Lord on Good Friday, March 25, 2005 He passed away in his home. “Lou” was born in New York City on February 5, 1913. Lou was the son of the late Abraham Abrams and the late Mary Sullivan Abrams. Lou was predeceased by his wife, Rita Murphy Abrams and later his second wife, Florence Taylor Abrams.

Lou graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy from Mount Saint Alphonsus in New York City. Lou worked in the New York Botanical Gardens until he served in the U.S. Army in India during World War II where he supervised 1,100 civilians in malaria control. In 1946, he moved to New Jersey to work at Seabrook Farms Co., where he retired thirty seven years later as Director of Administration.

Lou was active in public evangelization as a member of the Catholic Evidence Guild in New York City, Atlantic City and Camden; a charter member of the Upper Deerfield Ambulance Association; a member of the Vineland Lions Club; Immaculate Conception Church Holy Name Society, Vice chairman if the Bridgeton Human Relations Commission, Co-director of the Bridgeton Chapter of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, National Council of Catholic Men, Japanese American Citizens League and the Entomological Society of America.

In 1968, Lou was one of the key lay persons who worked with Bishop Guilfoyle as a member of the Diocesan Steering Committee for Immaculate Conception Parish. He taught CCD for many years and was appointed President of the first Diocesan CCD lay board. He was active in religious discussion groups; served as the Chairman of the Apostles of Good Will; was a member of the Diocesan Census Committee; and was appointed Legislative Chairman of the Diocesan Council of PTA’s. For his duties, Lou was awarded the Benemerenti Medal, a papal honor, as well as the Saint Pius X Award for his work with CCD.

In 1969, Lou moved to Vineland and became a member of Sacred Heart Parish where he was active as co-editor of “The Parish Post”; was Chairman of the Ecumenical Committee of Sacred Heart; and participated in the Diocese of Camden Synod Process for Sacred Heart Parish.

He served as a member of the advisory council for the Office on Aging. Lou laid the groundwork for the SCAMP luncheons and nutrition program for senior citizens, a forerunner of Meals on Wheels, and he was awarded Top Senior

Citizen for his efforts. He continued his work for senior citizens by establishing Senior Ride to expedite seniors’ mobility.

Throughout his lifetime, Lou received multiple awards: a resolution from the Mayor and City Council of Vineland for his tireless efforts for the health and welfare of senior citizens; the Department of Community Affairs Division on Aging 1986 Governor Kean’s Award for leadership, guidance and efforts on behalf of the New Jersey elderly population; and the 2004 Veterans of Foreign Wars award for his faithful support of America’s veterans and their families.

After his retirement, in his leisure time, Lou enjoyed spending time with family and friends, reading, doing crossword puzzles and playing lottery tickets.

He was predeceased by two brothers and three sisters. He is survived by his five children: Mary F. Abrams of Vineland, Ann Suprano and her husband Ken of West Virginia; Paul J. Abrams and his wife Kathy of Vineland; Bernadette Urban and her husband John of Upper Deerfield Twp. and Jeanne M. LaBuz and her husband Bob of Sewell.

He will be missed by his grandchildren: Amanda Urban Hendricks and her husband Kyle; Paul P. Abrams and his wife Kim; Allison M. LaBuz and her fiancé Doug Rodman and Christianna Faith LaBuz. He is also survived by two nieces, Dorothy O’Hanlon and her family and Ruth Sweet.

The funeral will originate at the Freitag Funeral Home, 137 W. Commerce St., Bridgeton on Tuesday March 29, 2005 at 10:30 A.M. and will be followed by an 11 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial at Sacred Heart R.C. Church, 1010 Landis Avenue, Vineland.

The interment will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Bridgeton.

Friends will be received at the funeral home Monday evening, March 28th from 7 to 9 P.M. and again Tuesday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 A.M.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Abrams memory to the Cumberland County College Foundation, Paul J. Abrams Scholarship Fund at Cumberland County College, PO Box 1500, Vineland, NJ 08362-1500

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