ABRAHAM DIN

1936 - 2026

ABRAHAM DIN

Mar. 9, 1936 – Mar. 11, 2026

Abraham Din passed away peacefully on March 11, 2026, after a short-lived, but immediate, struggle with cancer. He spent his last months receiving visits from close family and friends and his final days surrounded by loved ones. Abe was born to Reynalda and Karam Din on March 9, 1936, in El Centro, where he lived most of his life. In his youth, he was an athletic superstar, he played in the school band, and he was the class president his senior year at Central Union High School. By the flirtatious notes in his yearbooks, he was also adored by the ladies.

Abe Din had many lives. After graduating from CUHS in 1955, he joined the 8th Army, 19th Infantry Regiment, Company B in Korea, where he played football and wrestled until cauliflower ear ended his athletic career overseas. He married his first wife who gave birth to their son, Aaron. Abe worked in the cotton industry, opened the Top Notch restaurant, and eventually made his way in the melon business - the one job he truly loved - before finally retiring from Laborers' Local 1184 union job with Kiewit laying fiber optic communication lines. It was while he worked at Eddie Maljan's ranch in the late '60s, however, that he met the love of his life and future wife of 46 years, Terri Maljan, with whom he affectionately and devotedly raised two daughters.

Abe was preceded in death by his father in 1938, brother Raymond in 2008, mother in 2010, and brother Richard and wife Terri in 2016. Survivors include his son, Aaron Devitt of La Mesa; daughters, Kristi Din of La Mesa and Kendra (Michael) Din of Brooklyn, NY; brother, Ismal (Rosa) Din of Ramona; sister, Linda (David) Montes de Oca; grandchildren, Tristan, Rhiannon, Maria and Christina; great-grandchild, Lilly; multiple nieces, nephews, and cousins; and his partner and friend, Diane Botello of Temecula, "who managed to put up with him for the last 8-9 years."

Abe was adamant about not having a service, but he welcomed celebrations of life for anyone who want's to drink a Bud or a shot of Chivas in his honor. He will be interred with Terri in Evergreen Cemetery in El Centro this summer.