LAWRENCE THOMAS ABRAHAM

Lawrence Thomas Abraham Family patriarch, devoted husband, loving father, and loving grandfather, passed away at the age of 94 on the morning of Saturday, September 11, 2010. He died peacefully at home. Mr. Abraham was born in Lebanon on September 11, 1916 to George and Catherine (Zamer) Abraham. He had eleven brothers and sisters: Fred, Jack, Wilma, Alice, John, George, Mary, Betty, Anna, Rose and Helen. All have preceded him in death. The Abraham family came to America settling in Johnstown, PA when Lawrence was 2 years of age. He graduated from Johnstown High School and received his civil engineering certificate from the University of New Mexico. He was employed in the Johnstown Steel Mills from 1936 to 1939, and worked as a construction foreman from 1939 to 1940. After meeting the love of his life, native New Mexican Wadette Goze, and marrying her on October 6, 1940, they settled in Magdalena, New Mexico. They lived in Magdalena, Espanola, and Los Alamos from 1940 to 1946. During those early years he worked in construction and carpentry. While in Los Alamos, Mr. Abraham was construction superintendent under the United States Engineers, in charge of building living quarters and testing facilities for the laboratories in Los Alamos. In 1946, the Abraham's moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico and resided there until 1976. During their time spent in Santa Fe, Mr. Abraham was president of Lawrence T. Abraham Contracting Company of Santa Fe building schools, post offices, apartment buildings and commercial buildings through out the state. He took great pride in having one of the first contractor licenses issued in the state. He served as state coordinator in the Strategic Vulnerability Survey of New Mexico for the Fourth Army, Ft. Sam Houston in 1947. Mr. Abraham retired from construction in the 1960s to devote his life, time and resources to what was most important to him, his wife and family. While in Santa Fe, a non-partisan in politics, Mr. Abraham was active in fraternal organizations and was a member of the Santa Fe Lodge No. 460 of the Elks. A Thirty-second degree Mason in the Scottish Rite, he was a member of Montezuma Lodge No. 1, of the New Mexico Consistory, and was active in the Shrine. He was a member of Yucca Temple White Shrine, of Ballut Abyad Temple of Albuquerque, and in 1958 became a director of the Santa Fe Shrine Presbyterian Church of Santa Fe. In 1976 Lawrence and Wadette made their final move to Albuquerque to be near two of their children. Once settled in Albuquerque they were active members of Four Hills Country Club. At the age of 60, Mr. Abraham took up the game of golf and enjoyed his circle of many friends and neighbors. Mr. & Mrs. Abraham were long time supporters of UNM and they were charter members of the Tom L. Popejoy Society. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Wadette in 2002. Mr. Abraham is survived by his daughter, Sandra Dhieux and her husband, Ernie, of Broomfield, CO; their daughter, Joyel Dhieux and her husband, Chris Thorn, of Boulder, CO; and their son, Matthew Dhieux and his wife, Molly, and their children: Lilly and Maddie of Littleton, CO. Daughter, Dr. Karen Adele Abraham, Associate Vice-President Alumni Relations at UNM; and son, Mayor Larry P. Abraham, his wife Beverly, of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, and their son, Lawrence Geoffrey Abraham, of San Francisco, CA. The loss of his incredible presence will be profound, however he has left for his family a legacy of love (he was an eternal romantic); love of family, love of life and love of nature; strength, wisdom, nobility, humility, integrity, optimism, honesty, generosity, humor and playfulness, simplicity and resourcefulness, service, loyalty, commitment and dedication. He was proud to have maintained his independence (with minimal help from outside caregivers) until his final day. At 75 years old, for his and Wadette's 50th wedding anniversary, Lawrence built with his own hands a small, heart-shaped Chapel on his ranch in Socorro to commemorate their love. Lawrence and Wadette now reside in eternal peace and love in the chapel he named "Sweethearts for Eternity". In his own words: "After you shed some emotional tears, take happy note my life was fulfilled beyond its fondest expectations. From humble beginnings of a depression born, poverty bred, uneducated minority group, I rose to the top in the toughest profession of General Contractor, building laboratories, schools and post offices. All without benefit of politics, improper methods, or taking advantage of my fellowman. Even more important my family was always first in every consideration…" He was very much loved and respected and will be missed incredibly by all of those that had the good fortune to know and love him. A small private family service will be held. In lieu of flowers, if you wish to honor the memory of Mr. Abraham, donations can be made to the Lawrence T. Abraham and Wadette Abraham Endowment Scholarship, UNM Foundation/Development Office, 700 Lomas Bvld. N.E. Suite 203, Albuquerque, NM 87131.