2016 -- H 7941

========

LC005478

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

____________

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF JUSTIN ABRAMS

     Introduced By: Representative Blake Anthony Filippi

     Date Introduced: March 15, 2016

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, It is with great sadness that this House has learned of the passing of Justin

Abrams, a well-admired resident of Block Island, and the loving husband of the late Joan

Abrams. He was also the adored father of Rita Draper and her husband, Steven, Mark Abrams

and his wife, Sonya, and the late Rick Abrams and his wife, Susan, and the devoted companion of

Debbi-Jo Horton; and

     WHEREAS, Blessed with a large and loving family, Mr. Abrams was the proud

grandfather of Kyle Draper and his wife, Terin, Seth Draper, Ross Draper, Sam Abrams and his

wife, Holly, Philip Abrams, Archie Abrams, Stanley Abrams and Sydney Abrams, and his great

grandchildren, Carmyn and Gavin Draper, and Oliver and Emmett Abrams; and

     WHEREAS, Born in Providence, Justin Abrams was the son of the late Etta and Sigmund

Abrams, and the brother of Burton Abrams and his wife, Joyce. He was a graduate of Hope High

School and upon graduation, attended King's Point Merchant Marine Academy and joined the

United States Merchant Marines, serving as a mid-shipman. He later served our country with

honor in the United States Navy during World War II; and

     WHEREAS, After returning from the war, Mr. Abrams received his Bachelor's degree in

agriculture from the University of Rhode Island. He married his wife, Joan, and together they

purchased, and over the course of the next ten years, operated a poultry farm in North Kingstown;

and

      WHEREAS, A multi-talented man, Mr. Abrams became a marine biologist for RI Fish

and Game Service until 1960 when he joined the Dressler family business, Colfax Packing, one

of the largest vegetable oil suppliers in the country. In 1999, he retired as Senior Vice President

for Sales; and

     WHEREAS, Coinciding with his years at Colfax, Mr. Abrams and his wife purchased the

Florida House and transformed it into The 1661 Inn, and in 1974, acquired the Hotel Manisses.

He later, guided the family through a number of business expansions which included purchasing

The Oar restaurant and in 2015, the management of the Narragansett Inn. He reveled in working

with his family and in the community, and added immeasurable joy and benefit to those around

him; and

     WHEREAS, In addition to his family, Mr. Abrams took great delight in gardening and

his farm, which is the setting for one of only two zoos licensed for exotic animals in the state. He

and his wife also enjoyed traveling, which resulted in their finding a winter home in Mal Pais,

Costa Rica, which in turn resulted in his helping to bring electricity to the small town; and

     WHEREAS, Justin Abrams led a full and glorious life. He was an avid sailor, former

member of the East Greenwich Yacht Club, founding member of Temple Sinai, long-time

member of Temple Beth-El, member of the Sons & Daughters of Ruth, a director of the Block

Island Conservancy, a member of the American Legion Post #36, and a beloved and cherished

friend to many; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby expresses its deepest sympathies on the passing of Justin Abrams.

"May his memory be a blessing"; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Rita and Steven Draper and Family, Mark and

Sonya Abrams and Family, and Susan Abrams and Family.

========

LC005478

========

LC005478 - Page 2 of 2