Donald Abrams

Donald L. Abrams Obituary
Donald L. Abrams of 1332 Albion Road, Winslow, Maine, passed away Thursday, March 6, 2025. Don was born on November 8, 1933, to Louis and Abbie Abrams in Salt Lake City, Utah. He graduated from Sweetwater High School in National City, California, in 1951 and attended San Diego Community College.
Don joined the Army and served from 1951 to 1953. He was stationed at Fort Belvoir in Virginia and served as an Honor Guard at Arlington Cemetery, as well as in Greenland.
After his military service, Don was employed at Rohr Aircraft in San Diego. From 1956 to 1964, he worked at General Dynamics, holding positions in San Diego, CA; Topeka, KS; Roswell, NM; the Atlas Program at Cape Canaveral, FL; and Rochester, NY. He later moved to Waterville, Maine, where he became co-owner of the Harry J. Smith Company and subsequently worked for Kmart. After retiring in 2000, Don served as a substitute teacher at Winslow High School and Erskine Academy.
An accomplished artist, Don was an active member of the Waterville Art Society and participated in numerous juried art shows throughout Maine. At just 16 years old, he survived a horrific train collision that left him hospitalized for an entire year in a Navy hospital. Despite this devastating experience, he emerged as a survivor-stronger, more determined, and deeply shaped by the resilience he developed during that challenging time, a trait that influenced him throughout his life. Don became an avid outdoorsman, competing in multiple 5K and 10K road races as well as several marathons. His passion for nature led him to volunteer for the Appalachian Trail Maintenance crew. Additionally, Don contributed his time to the Boy Scouts, supporting his oldest son, Paul Briggs, in earning the rank of Eagle Scout.
Don was an avid traveler who explored several provinces in Canada –such as Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and Quebec, most U.S. states-including Alaska and Hawaii-numerous Caribbean islands, and one of his favorite destinations, Aruba.
Don was deeply engaged in state and national politics, volunteering for and supporting several political campaigns, including those of Robert F. Kennedy, George Mitchell, Jimmy Carter, and Angus King.
He is survived by his beloved wife and best friend, Sharon H. Abrams of Winslow, ME. His children include Paul Abrams Briggs and his wife Patricia of Albuquerque, NM; predeceased by baby son Edward; Eleanor Abrams of Durham, NH; Cindy Randall and her husband John of Cape Neddick, ME; Andy Abrams and his wife Paula of Byron, MN; Shawn Houghton and his wife Heather of South China, ME; and Tammy Houghton Lunt and her husband Eric of Fairfield, ME.
Don's grandchildren include Hailey Abrams of Omaha, NE; Kyra Abrams Wilschek and her husband Adam of Rochester, MN; Sam Hale of Durham, NH; Jackson Hale and his wife Maddy of Fort Worth, TX; Jacob Houghton and his partner Ciera of Palermo, ME; Peyton, Easton and Blake Houghton of South China, ME; Mason Lunt and his fiancée Cassidy of Albion, ME; and Gavin Lunt of Fairfield, ME.
Great-grandchildren include Chace Houghton of Palermo, ME, and Riley Hale of Fort Worth, TX.
He is also survived by his sister, Jean Katis, and her children Chris, John, Sandy, and Mike, along with several nieces and nephews.
Other cherished family friends include David and Linda Harrigan of Windham, ME, and their children David and his wife Kerrie and their children Xavier and Milo of CT, and Ben and his wife Kate and their children Grace, Raelyn, and Sage of Windham, ME; Megahn Randall and her children Anna and Eva of Lisbon Falls, ME; Nathan Randall of Arlington, VA; and Gregory Jimenez and his wife Sarah and their children Sedona and Gregory Eric Cioppa and late wife Kathy of China, ME, and his children Ryanne and her husband Chris Fortney and their daughter Cali, as well as Zack and his wife Maureen and their children Anthony and Quinn.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Northern Light Home Care and Hospice Foundation, PO Box 679, Portland, ME 04104 in appreciation of the compassionate care provided to Don and Sharon in his final months.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, April 5th from 2:00pm-4:00pm at the Pointe Afta on 252 China Rd. Winslow, ME