Paul Arthur Abrams

Paul Arthur Abrams passed away March 20, 2018.  Paul was born November 18, 1926 in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Jacob A. and Beatrice Diamond Abrams.  He moved to Hartford, Michigan as an infant where his father and mother had a department store.  He was a graduate of Hartford High School in 1944, where he was active in sports and Boy Scouts of America, becoming one of Hartford’s first Eagle Scouts.  After graduation, he served in the Army Air Forces during World War II and later served in the Army Combat Engineers during the Korean War.  After serving in the Air Force he went on to graduate from Western Michigan University.  Following graduation, Paul joined his father in managing Abrams Department Store in Hartford, and later assuming ownership of the store which he operated until 1970.  There he was very active in the community, serving on the Chamber of Commerce, United Fund, and other activities.  He was also a member of the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Posse for many years. After closing the store in 1970, he moved to Benton Harbor and he became a manufacturer’s representative, selling shoes for Genesco, of Nashville, Tennessee, serving in several of their divisions.  Later on he worked for Musebeck Shoe Company, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin coving the Midwest, and supervising the East Coast as well, until his retirement in 1992. Paul was active in the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary for over thirty years, serving in many capacities in the local Flotilla Division, as well as on the 9th District Staff.  He was also a life member of Lakeshore Lodge #298, Free and Accepted Masons, Benton Harbor, Michigan, having also served as Worshipful Master of Florida Lodge #309, Hartford, Michigan twice and was a life member of Valley of Grand Rapids, Scottish Rite and as a member of Saladin Temple Shriners.  He has also served for many years as a volunteer for Lakeland Memorial Hospital in St. Joseph, Michigan and as a volunteer for Senior Net, teaching seniors to be able to use their computers; he loved to cruise up north with his wife Dorothy on their boat, through the straits and on up to Canada in the summer. He was a member of Temple B’nai Shalom in Benton Harbor, Michigan and was on the Board of Directors for many years. He is survived by his children; Paula Annette (Dennis) Rupp of Benton Harbor, Stevan Abrams, Victoria Lynn Abrams, Thereasa Eilene Abrams of Nashville, TN, Michael Jay Buchbinder of Benton Harbor, and Paula Ann (Jeffery) Hubbard of Round Lake Beach, IL.  He is also survived by his grandchildren; Ian Jacob Rupp, Corey Anne (Daniel) Ference Nickel, Jacob Peter Ference, Grace Catherine Ference, Beth Binzel, Erica Gray, Sarah Jane Abrams; and great-grandson Asher Leonard Nickel. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Dorothy Zaban Buchbinder Abrams, whom he married in 1970 and his parents, Jacob A. and Beatrice Diamond Abrams. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Thursday, March 22, 2018 at 1:00 P.M. at Starks & Menchinger Chapel at 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph with visitation will be one hour prior to the service with burial to follow at Bnai’ Shalom Cemetery.   In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Temple Bnai’ Shalom, Benton Harbor in Michigan. Those wishing to sign Paul’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.