Marc C. Abrahms

1948 - 2015

Abrahms, Marc C., 67 of West Hartford died July 16th 2015, in Bloomfield, CT. Born in Hartford on April 11th, 1948, he was educated in the West Hartford Public School System and graduated with a B.A. degree from Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts. At age 26 he became the youngest trustee in the history of Clark University and for more than a decade he served on the investment and executive committee of the board. Marc's support of education was not limited to Clark University where he funded both Abrahms Darkroom and Abrahms Gallery; he also established the Abrahms Prize at Connecticut College and the Abrahms Hall at the University of Hartford. At the George Washington University, the main entrance to the student center is called "Marc C. Abrahms Great Hall." For more than four decades he was on the board and executive committee of the Hebrew Home and Hospital which is located at One Abrahms Boulevard, West Hartford. When Marc became Chairman of the Board of the Hebrew Home at age 36 he was the youngest person to ever hold that position. Marc was a life director of The Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford, a board member of United Way of the Capitol Region, Hartford College for Women, University of Hartford Art School, and the Jewish Community Center of Greater Hartford, as well as the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. Marc founded and funded The Partnership for Hartford's Hungry, a program which provides 1200 meals per month to the House of Bread of Hartford; to this date over 50,000 meals have been delivered. Marc was the owner and president of both Abrahms Life Services, Inc. and Abrahms Group Benefits. Together, these companies were the largest privately held employee benefit firm in the region before they were acquired in 2001. Marc was a nationally recognized expert on employee benefits and was a main platform speaker for numerous national and international meetings including Top of the Table, the International Forum and AALU. Marc was a board member of both AUSA (Aegan USA) and First Transamerica of New York. A noted photographer, Marc's images were displayed in one person shows in Hartford, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco and Santa Fe. His photographs are in museums and have been purchased in more than 20 countries. One of his photographs is in the permanent collection of the Library of Congress and his photographs are part of the National Geographic permanent collection. His first photographic book, Traveling Light, was published to raise money for Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. Mr. Abrahms was a Type I diabetic since age five. Marc was one of the less than one thousand insulin dependent diabetics to live past sixty years and every day he knew how fortunate he was. Water Colors was published in 2003 to assist United Cerebral Palsy of New York. Marc is the son of the late John B. Abrahms and Phyllis Blumenthal Abrahms and was predeceased by his beloved brother, Dr. Eliot Robert Abrahms. He leaves his sister, Sally Abrahms and her husband, David Rosenthal of Brookline, Massachusetts as well as his "brother by choice" Simon Baitler of Nazareth. He leaves his beloved sons, Aaron and his wife Allison, Max and his wife Karolina, Zachary and Simon as well as his beloved grandchildren Phoebe, Lulu and Teddy. He leaves his beloved Sue Fulleton and her daughter Karen Baddely. Marc leaves many caring nieces, nephews and wonderful friends. Intelligent, warm, compassionate about life, his sincerity and humor will be missed by all who knew him. Marc was truly a person who lived with passion and gusto. Funeral services will be held Sunday, July 19, 2015 at 11am at Congregation Beth Israel, 701 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford, CT. After the burial, the family will receive guests at Congregation Beth Israel from 1:30pm - 3:30pm. Memorial contributions may be made to either of the following causes: The Abrahms Family Fund c/o Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford 333 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06117 The Eliot R. Abrahms Memorial Fund c/o Hebrew HealthCare 1 Abrahms Boulevard, West Hartford, CT 06117