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James Abraham Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for James Abraham
Gary Kasza
July 4, 2024
Dear Mrs. Abraham and Family. I loved him!!! Brought out the best in me!!!!! Band, Jazz Ensemble, and our friendship after I graduated were priceless!!! Prayers for my mentor!!! RIP Gary Kasza
RAY AND LORETTA KASZA
January 10, 2007
DEAR RUTH, SURE HAVE SOME GREAT MEMORIES OF WHEN GAIL AND GARY WERE IN THE BAND THAT MR. ABE TAUGHT. HE SURE WAS A WONDERFUL MAN.
PARENTS OF 2 OF HIS STUDENTS.
LORETTA AND RAY KASZA
Gail Rydeski (Kasza)
January 9, 2007
Dear Mrs. Abraham and Family,
Please accept my deepest sympathy in your time of great loss. Mr. Abraham could be tough and could scare us when he felt he knew we could do better. His tough and scare tactics worked on all of us band members and we all did better. He was a great and wonderful band director in the years I was there 1974-1978. He worked with me and made me do my best. I remember so well how he scared me to death when he sat smack dab right in front of me during my solo at state competition. So scared I think my knees were banging against my bass clarinet! I also remember all the fun times and laughter we all shared as the band. He was a wonderful man and he left me with many wonderful and happy memories that I will treasure for a lifetime.
Again my sympathies to all of your family.
Gail Rydeski (Kasza)
Trevor Loes
January 8, 2007
My deepest sympathies to you, Ruth, and your family. I enjoyed every opportunity I had to speak with Jim, and it was a pleasure for me to be part of the great tradition he founded at St. Francis High School. Jim's musicianship, guidance, professionalism, and dedication are benchmarks for all music educators.
Respectfully,
Trevor Loes
Former Dir. of Instrumental and Vocal Music
St. Francis High School 1998-2006
Patricia Bauer-MacGillis
January 4, 2007
My sympathies to the whole Abraham family. Mr. Abraham was the first person to encourage me to use the voice God so generously gave me. He was a great, quiet, gentle man who loved music and life. I'm so sorry for your loss.
brittany palasz and family palasz
January 3, 2007
im so sorry about hearing about mr abraham. our sympathy is with your family.
Leroy Kolacinski
January 1, 2007
Mrs. Abraham, Anne, Amy, Rachel, please accept the deepest condolensces that I and my family have to offer.
Mr. Abraham (despite being out of high school for nearly 30 years, I still cannot call him Jim) was one of the most influential people to have entered my life. His dedication to excellence in the lives of his students lives on in all of us and will continue to live on in the lives of those youngsters who we, in our turn, touch.
He was the principal reason for my originally choosing music education as a career. Though I have since left that field as a profession, he is still able to speak to young people through me. There are many times when I find myself using phrases that I learned from in as I judge young musicians.
The passion for excellence that he instilled in us as his students serves us all well to this day, no matter what our particular endeavor.
I feel great guilt at not keeping in better touch over the years with this fine individual. To his family, I can only hope that peace will descend upon you and that you will take comfort in knowing that he lives on in more than just memories. He lives on in the lives you lead as well as in the lives of all of the people he guided in his life.
Leroy Kolacinski
Saint Francis High School, Class of 1978
Susie Staats
December 31, 2006
I am so sorry to hear of Mr. Abraham's passing. He had an excellent ear and for that alone our little high school band sounded great. I still have our recorded album. My prayers go out to the family.
Dr. James Zingara
December 30, 2006
I am saddened to hear about the passing of Jim Abraham. I was fortunate to have him as my band director at St. Francis HS from 1974-1978. I have thought much about what to say in this small space that may sum up the tremendous influence he had upon me and my chosen career as a musician and teacher. I think it would be the greatest tribute to say that I constantly hear his words about brass playing, music and life coming from my mouth to my own college and high school students. Although Mr. Abraham may no longer be with us, part of him will always live in new generations of young musicians.
Thus is the legacy of a great band director.
All my thoughts and prayers to his family.
Dick Leow
December 30, 2006
I often think about the encouragement and support I received from Mr. Abraham through endless discussions and the "study hall passes" he issued me allowing me access to a rehearsal room with a piano. The best part of my high school education came from this gentleman even though I never was in one of his classes. Today I still enjoy this gift of music as a club musician and liturgist. Thank you Mr. Abraham for your "nudge".
My symapathy and prayers to Mrs. Abraham and her family.
Class of '65
Georgene Voutila
December 29, 2006
Mr.Abraham was the most influential teacher in my life. When I look back so many years ago I realize how fortunate I was to have a teacher demand excellence from me. That demanding nature of course was not always easy to deal with but it was a gift in my life. I imagine it is much like having an athletic coach who wants you to do your best and won't be happy until you give it. Our rewards were the results we
received at both solo-ensemble and full band competitions. He did so
well with a small band. At a time when our athletic teams were small
and striving to compete with bigger schools, our bands were able to get
top marks.(I don't remember if they were grades or numbers---( it was
almost 42 years ago.) I remember being so proud to wear those new band uniforms. I appreciate today the work that went into the band exchange trips we took. I'm a Wisconsin Badger Marching band groupie( the best band in the land) and every spring at the concert my mom and I talk about Mr Abraham and his influence. My brother was fortunate to also have him as mentor. My niece and nephews were in high school marching
band and my youngest nephew is in the UCLA marching band. Mr. Abraham's influence will live in generations of musicians and those of us who just love music.
Sympathy to Mrs Abraham and children.
Georgene Voutila Class of 1965
kathlyn kimber
December 29, 2006
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Debbie Branger
December 29, 2006
Rachel and family, our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Gary and Debbie Branger & Family
Kathy Koniar
December 28, 2006
I was crushed when I read about Mr. Abraham's passing. I learned most of what I knew about playing an instrument when he was my band instructor in the 60s at St. Francis High School and later in the alumni band. I was afraid of him however, at the same time, I respected him. I wanted to go to the funeral home but unfortunately cannot make it. My blessings to the family.
Dan and Leslie Berth
December 27, 2006
Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Patti & Dan Hutter
December 27, 2006
Ruth, Amy, Anne and Rachel -
Our deepest sympathies to you and your family. Jim and all of you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Art Zens
December 27, 2006
Ruth
My deepest sympathy to you and your family. Jim and I went to MSTC together, played in the Beta Band there, and through the Air Command Orchestra we did a lot of jobs together. He will be remembered in out thoughts.
John Komoroske
December 27, 2006
I met Mr. Abraham in 1950 when I started in the band program in Algoma. He was a conscientious, caring teacher and was well respected.
By the time I was a senior in high school Jim and I became friends.
Due to his influence
I became a teacher/band director.
He was the gentlest, kindest person I have had the pleasure to call “friend”.
Dave & Patti Waszak
December 27, 2006
Our hearts go out to you at this time and in the days ahead. Please accept our deepest sympathy.
Dave & Patti Waszak
December 27, 2006
Our hearts go out to you at this time and in the days ahead. Please accept our deepest sympathy.
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