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Henny Abrams Obituary
Passed away unexpectedly February 28, 2013 at the age of 58. He was found sitting at his computer doing what he loved - writing a story on motorcycle racing.
Henny Ray was born in Wilmington on November 25, 1954. He graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1972. He attended the University of Delaware.
He was able to combine his passion for motorcycles and photography into a career as one of the top motorcycle racing photojournalists in the world. He was the longest-serving contributor to Cycle News. He was also a long-time contributor to Sport Rider Magazine covering Grand Prix and AMA racing.. A Brooklyn, NY resident, he also served as an AP photographer and reporter in the New York area.
Henny Ray loved cooking and hosted weekly dinners for friends in his apartment. And you didn't need to read the New York Times for a movie review - just ask Henny. He was also known for his generosity, sense of humor, tireless work ethic, and engaging conversation.
Henny Ray is survived by his brothers Bryan, Ronny, and Scott, all of Wilmington. He is also survived by Ronny's wife Diane and Henny's nieces Ashley and Brooke. He was predeceased by his mother Lillian (1991) and brother Ricky (1989). He will be sorely missed by his many Brooklyn friends, the Carota family, and the motorcycle racing community around the world.
Funeral services will be held 1:00pm Thursday March 7, 2013 at Schoenberg Memorial Chapel, 519 Philadelphia Pike, Wilmington, DE 19809.
Contributions in memory of Heny Ray may be made to the charity of your choice.
SCHOENBERG MEMORIAL CHAPEL
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Henny Abrams
mary spies
February 27, 2021
Not forgotten. Miss our phones calls on the occasional evenings between races. So respectful. Never discussed racing on those calls. Miss his culinary ideas and success's and his excitement over a new wine. Mary Spies
April 28, 2013
Circuits of America was all one could hope for with a couple of empty spaces and yours was one of them.You would have loved the track.
david krowner
April 27, 2013
just wanted to say your writing is what made me feel like a little kid again every time i received a new motorcycle magazine in the mail.i couldn't wait to read the story you wrote in it.you will be deeply missed fellow brother
Nancy Lewis
April 16, 2013
Henny and I met in Junior High in Spanish class. We continued our friendship thru Mount Pleasant High school and even after I moved to Colorado. He was a really good friend and I will miss him alot.
April 16, 2013
To Bryan, Ronny & family and /Scott, It's been a while since Henny's passing but I'm just now seeing all of these wonderful messages written in memory of Henny and thought I'd add a few words. Henny was a few years older than I and more my sister's contemporary (Alex Josey Sulecki). My memories of Henny are that he was always very kind to my sister and friendly to me. He seemed to often be near when help was needed and didn't hesitate to offer. It's very cool that he and Alex saw the Rolling Stones at the Spectrum (Now that's history!) I too am glad that Henny found his calling and was able to follow it with passion. No doubt he's out there and will forever leave his mark on the hearts of many. Sympathy and support to the family as they continue to feel the loss of their brother.
Melissa Josey (Wilm. DE, Green Acres)
March 15, 2013
Oh Bryan, just heard about Henny, was a long ways from here at the time. Billie told me it was sudden and sad, my thoughts and prayers are with you and Ronnie. Have not seen him since MTP, so long ago, sounds like he was happy, at peace, and doing what he loved best, as I remember, being his artsy self, doing his own thing! I always admired that about him!!
I hope you endure the memories for a lifetime, we just never ever know when it will be. God Bless you and yours, I am
Sincerely, Peggy Venable Dillon
March 15, 2013
Oh Bryan, It was so sad to hear about Henny. Was out of town at the time, Billie let me know as soon as she heard. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Ronnie. Henny, I know was most likely doing what he loved best, just being Henny, into his artsy, creative world of his own. Haven't seen him since MTP, I know he will be missed dearly...my thoughts and prayers are with you all, I am,
Sincerely,
Peggy Venable Dillon
Henny working the McDonalds Games in Chicago.
Brian Spurlock
March 9, 2013
I met Henny in 2004 when we started working with me as the official photographers for the McDonalds High School All American Games. Every year the last week of March we spent a week photographing everything involved with the week long event from early in the day to very late at night. Henny had a great work ethic and a good photographer. It comes with great sadness with the games a few weeks away that Henny won't be at the event. He did have a good sense of humor and was always direct and to the point. I will certainly miss his friendship and working side by side with him. We both shared a passion for photography, and enjoyed hearing each year where he had been and future places he was travelling to as a journalist. Rest in peace my friend.
Matthew Miles
March 7, 2013
Thank you, Henny, for always taking the time to say hello whenever our paths crossed. I enjoyed our conversations and admired your professionalism. The press room won't be the same without you.
Jack Mangus
March 7, 2013
I'll always treasure the memories of all the countless hours Henny and I spent together both in this country and across Europe. Our conversations in hotel rooms we shared often deprived us of much needed sleep but they were priceless. Thanks for being a bright light in my life, Henny. Godspeed.
Christopher Jonnum
March 7, 2013
I'm sorry I couldn't be there for the service. Although I consider Henny a good friend, there was a side to his life with which I wasn't familiar, and it would have been nice to honor him while having the opportunity to meet people who were most important to him. To Henny's family, I hope you can find some solace in the knowledge that he made an important impact in his professional field, and that we in that field will all miss him greatly. Henny was and will continue to be an inspiration.
Mark Thome
March 7, 2013
Henny's passion for journalism was perhaps only matched by his passion for motorcycle racing. He captured the action in words and images that were accurate, descriptive, and truly made the final story more as a whole than the sum of its parts. Henny set the bar for working hard, doing what it takes to meet a deadline, and knocking it out of the park with the definitive coverage of what happened. When allowed to editorialize, he was scathingly sarcastic and funny, pissed of a lot of executives, but always shined the light the sharpest where it needed to be shone. Henny was a journalist like no other, and he will be very greatly missed, starting right now, this weekend, at Daytona Bike Week. Cheers to you, Henny.
Bobbie Venable Davies
March 7, 2013
Bryan -- I am so saddened by the untimely loss of your brother. I did not know him, but it appears he lived life to the fullest doing what he enjoyed most. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Thomas Mueller
March 7, 2013
I am sorry I could not attend today, due to yesterday's ice and snow storm. Henny was my friend for 33 years. He was a constant in my life, a great world traveler and story teller. He will not be replaced in my lifetime.
Chris Zavawski
March 7, 2013
To my friend Scott & his family, I wish them peace & ask they remember only the fond memories of Henny & all the joy his love & talent brought to them & all of us.
Evelyne Clarke
March 6, 2013
Benny loved this sport - he will be missed
Kent Riches
March 6, 2013
Henny
Thank you for the contributions you made in the motorcycle community.... You helped Me and countless others... You will be missed... RIP
Kent Riches
Billie Chubb
March 6, 2013
My sincere sympathy to you (Bryan) and your family at this time. He sounded like a wonderful guy. Billie Chubb
Lorna Robinson-Roush
March 6, 2013
Quite simply, Henny Ray Abrams was a remarkable person. We met in decades past when we frequently would be at the same motorcycle race events and because we had friends in common. I learned a lot taking photographs at those races but most importantly, I will be forever grateful for the comradery, encouragement, help and advice so graciously offered to me by Henny. In recent years even as our paths no longer crossed, I somehow found it satisfying to know that Henny was out there somewhere doing all those things that he did so well. For those of us who could not be there, he gave us a way to follow along. I wish to extend my deepest sympathies to his family, as well as to his friends and colleagues. Please, as you say your good-bys, add a thank you from me.
Larry Lawrence
March 6, 2013
Henny was one of the most generous persons I ever had the honor of knowing. He loved his work, enjoyed travel and made friends around the world. My sympathies to his family.
Alex Josey Sulecki
March 6, 2013
Henny and I were neighbors and friends growing up in Green Acres. He taught me to drive a stick shift, took me to some great concerts at the Spectrum, and took me on some long motorcyle rides through Beaver Valley. I was so happy to know he had a wonderful life and career and that he passed while doing what he loved and was so good at. To Bryan, Scott, Ronny and family, I am so sorry for your loss. At the same time, I celebrate the life of your brother and my friend, Henny Ray Abrams.
John O'Connor
March 5, 2013
Bryan, Ronnie & Scott, my deepest sympathies on the passing of your brother. May the happiest of memories sustain you all.
Pat Robinson
March 5, 2013
My sympathy goes out to all the family. I lived in Green Acres and was in the same class as Bryan, and remember all the boys as being such nice, really good guys. A tragic loss. My prayers go out for the family
Debbie Blaier (McNelly)
March 5, 2013
I went to River Road Elementary School with Henny,and sat next to him in 1st grade.I remember thinking how smart and funny he was!I'm so glad he had a good life and my deepest sympathies to his family & friends.
Alex (Josey) Sulecki
March 5, 2013
Henny was my neighbor and friend growing up in Green Acres. He taught me to drive a stick shift, took me to some great concerts (including the Rolling Stones), and took me for some long rides on his motorcyle through Beaver Valley. I treasure those memories. I am so happy to know Henny was having a great life and passed at the top of his game doing what he was so good at. Dear Bryan, Scott and Ronny and family, I am sorry for your loss and celebrate the life of your brother.
Saskia Van Oot
March 5, 2013
My heart goes out to Henny's family and friends. I used to hang our with him in high school. Even back then, we was creative, funny, talented and kind. I am happy to see he found his work to be his bliss. I know he will be missed by many....but always in our hearts and memories....
Jim & Shirley Schwantz
March 5, 2013
Henny was a great journalist and a genuine friend to all in the motorcycle racing community and will be irreplaceable and greatly missed.
Robin (Lubliner) Shane
March 5, 2013
Thoughts and prayers go to all of the family and friends. I have very fond memories of all of the Abrams family. Rest in Peace--Henry aka Hennie
cindy picard
March 5, 2013
Though Henny and I never met, went to the same high school, he seemed to live a wonderful and exciting life. One thing I do know about Henny is how he touched a good friend of mines life. My sincere condolence to the family
Ben Spies
March 5, 2013
Henny, I always enjoyed reading your work, I enjoyed our conversations even more. You are leaving a big hole and it will
not be filled. You lived a full and good life and set the bar pretty high in racing news. Ben
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