Jack Zaharia Abrams

November 3, 1917 – October 1, 2014

In Beverly Hills at age 96. Devoted son of Sabina and Zaharia Abramovici; beloved uncle of Irina Eremia Bragin, Sorin Eremia, Eugene Field, Dinu Gray and Miriam Talmi; dear brother of Clementina Hawksley and the late Regina Kortz, Cernica Gray, Renee King and Eva Hirshfield.

Jack faced the rise of the Nazi party in Romania, the German invasion, the Russian occupation, communism, and later the challenges of immigration and helping his parents, sisters, nephews and nieces from Romania and Israel settle in America. Through all life’s challenges Jack remained a calm, optimistic, loyal man, who never lost his faith in God, in life, and in people. Love of family, loyalty to friends, commitment to Judaism, a passion for chemical engineering, a love of problem solving, learning and teaching – these were the themes that dominated his life.

In 1963 Jack left Romania and immigrated with his parents and sister Clementina to Northern California. A brilliant man, Jack rose to be a top engineer and inventor at Bechtel. He created many innovations, was issued patents and won many awards for his contributions to his field. Jack continued to work as a consultant into his late 80’s. He was actively involved at Congregation Sherith Israel, and later was a member of Congregation Kol Shofar in Marin. At 94 when he moved from San Rafael, Jack joined B’nai David Judea in Los Angeles and faithfully attended services with his nephews and niece.

Jack was a selfless man. He lived a life of pure love, goodness, kindness, and giving. His nephews, nieces, and surviving sister Clementina, his beloved circle of friends at Kol Shofar, and all his friends in Northern and Southern California will remember and love him forever. Donations in his memory can be made to Chabad of Cheviot Hills, Congregation Kol Shofar in Marin or B’nai David Judea in Los Angeles.