Abel Dolim

Abel Dolim Mar. 14, 1922 - Oct. 18, 2012 Formerly of Hayward Abel Dolim, born March 14, 1922 and proud member of the Greatest Generation, passed away on Oct. 18, 2012. Abel is survived by his wife, Ingrid Svenson, daughter Patricia Beck (Larry), son Robert Dolim, brother Dan Dolim, stepdaughter Christine Souza (Mark), step-son Jon Svenson (Debbie), grandsons Gary & Mike Wood, step-grandsons Derek Beck (Melissa), Jeremy Beck, Matthew (Joslin) & Kyle Souza, Andrew Svenson & Joel Svenson, step-grandaughters Allison Mazingo (Evan) & Nicole Tyner (Mark), Gretchen Svenson (Jim), Rachel & Sarah Svenson, and several greatgrandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife of 56 years, Mary Nuzum Dolim. Abel was a navigator in the 94th Bomb Group during WWII, flying 51 missions over enemy territory. He authored Yesterday's Dragons, which recalls his eyewitness account of the Pearl Harbor bombing attack and his 51 missions. He was also the author of many published historical articles. After his service in the Air Force, Abel moved to CA and worked as a machinist for the American Can Company for many years. He bought a small 2-acre farm in Castro Valley and raised his children there. He grew tired of working for someone else and wanted to be his own boss. He studied to become a real estate agent; later after passing his broker's test he started his own real estate company, Lotus Properties. He built many houses during this time, doing much of the work himself. He had a great respect for hard work and a strong work ethic. Before retirement in Kihei, Abel led a very busy life. He was involved with the 94th Bomb Group's reunions, grew the grapes to make his own wine, had a year-round garden, liked to stir fry and make soup, and wrote his family history. He learned German, Portuguese and Spanish, and flew his own airplane. He was a world traveler, but also loved relaxing and smoking a good cigar in front of his Koi carp pond, contemplating his next project or reading a good book. He was known as a very social man with a great sense of humor.