Alfred A. Abraham

Alfred Abdoo Abraham, 96, passed away on November 19th. “Al” was born on December 27, 1923 in Newark, NJ, the son of the late Abdoo and Jennie Abraham, and for 53 years, husband of the late Cecelia Ramey Abraham. Al is survived by his children Alfred L. Abraham (and wife Danielle) of Watertown, Michael Abraham (and wife Cara) of Roxbury, and Cheryl Bucknam (and husband Ray) of Woodbury; his grandchildren Lauren (Bucknam) Gereg (and husband Conor), Brian Bucknam, Mason Abraham, Shaye Champney, Wylden and Darya Abraham, and great grandson, Kyle Gereg. He also leaves behind his sister-in-law, Eleanor Ramey, and several nieces and nephews.  Al was predeceased by his brother-in-law Joseph L. Ramey, sister Helen Wichers, and his business partner Tom Wichers.

Al grew up on Locust Avenue in Danbury, CT during the Great Depression, graduated from Danbury High School, and from an early age participated in the operation of their small family market. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Al enlisted in the U.S. Army’s Air Division and received training as a flight mechanic.  An accident sustained in live training resulted in permanent loss of eyesight in one eye.  Yet Al's strong work ethic never wavered.  Upon his return home, he oversaw the transformation of the small family market into Al’s Supermarket on Lake Avenue, one of Danbury’s most successful full service grocery stores in an era that preceded modern supermarkets.  Al relished the challenge of providing quality service to his customers and delighted in the back and forth banter with many of them over the years. During this period Al was active in Danbury’s Lebanese community and St. George’s Syrian Orthodox Church.  In 1957 he met and wed Cecelia Ramey of West Haven.

After more than four decades of running the family business Al and Cecelia retired to Harwich, Cape Cod.  For 30 years they enjoyed new friends and their wonderful neighbors on Betty’s Lane.  They also took the time to travel to destinations including the western United States, Hawaii, Greece, Italy, Germany, Austria, England, and Ireland.  They took the most joy however in hosting visits to Cape Cod from their children and grandchildren and sharing with them their favorite beaches and comfortable backyard.  After Cecelia passed, Al continued to maintain their home with the same persistence and pride that he’d exhibited with each of the homes that they’d shared in prior years.  First time visitors were always amazed at the professional look of his do it yourself landscaping and carpentry. Thanks in large part to the daily regimen of exercise and camaraderie that he always enjoyed, his indefatigable spirit remained until he was well into his 90’s. He chose to spend his final years at The Watermark living community in Southbury, so that he could be closer to his family, which he cherished above all else throughout his life.

Al’s family will hold a private ceremony.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut, Disabled American Veterans (Dav.org), St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, or take time to recognize essential workers such as the amazing nurses and aides at Cherrywood Village in Watermark that provided the most exceptional care and comfort to Al in his final weeks.  The family is truly grateful to them.

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