Harold J. "Hal" Abramson

1934 - 2019

Harold "Hal" Julian Abramson, 84, formerly of Mansfield Center, Connecticut died peacefully on the evening of Thursday, January 23, 2019, at Riderwood Retirement Community in Silver Spring, Maryland. Born October 13, 1934, in Troy, New York, to the late Benjamin Abramson and Minnie (Pearlberg) Kronick. He is survived by his wife Carol Alene (MacKenzie); his son Daniel Benjamin and his wife, Xin Hao; his son David Samuel MacKenzie and his wife, Kelly Jean Hand; and three grandchildren, Rachel Hao Abramson, Hazel Abramson Hand and Daisy Abramson Hand. He is also survived by his brother Myron "Mike" Charles of Santa Fe, New Mexico.Hal was a 49-year resident of Mansfield, Connecticut, having moved there in 1966 to teach in the Department of Sociology at the University of Connecticut. He studied History as an undergraduate at the University of Rochester, and Sociology for his doctorate at the University of Chicago. His book, Ethnic Diversity in Catholic America, and articles for the Harvard Encyclopedia of American Ethnic Groups, are among many products of a scholarly career marked by his fascination with diversity and commonality in society, and his passion for social justice and tolerance.Prior to his doctoral studies, he worked on a kibbutz in the Negev desert near Be'er Sheva, Israel, and served twice in the U.S. Army, stationed in Stuttgart, Germany, and Fort Bragg, North Carolina. In later years with his family he spent extended periods of teaching at University College Cork and research at the Economic and Social Research Institute in Dublin, Ireland. He served as Treasurer for the Friends of the Mansfield Public Library for several years. He and his wife were also active members for many years of the congregation at UConn Hillel and then attended services at Temple Bnai Israel in Willimantic.Funeral services will be private and at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Friends of the Mansfield Public Library, 54 Warrenville Rd., Mansfield Center, CT 06250 or Temple Bnai Israel, P.O. Box 61, Willimantic, CT 06226.For an online memorial guestbook, please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com.