The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
City pays tribute to community leader
The city of Oberlin formally dedicated the George A. Abram Pavilion on Sept. 12 in honoring a pillar of the community.
The pavilion sits on the site of the Oberlin Underground Railroad Center at 273 S. Main St., a facility hoping to preserve and share Oberlin’s role in the Underground Railroad.
George Abram lived in Oberlin for 56 years and was known to many as the voice of Oberlin for announcing Oberlin High School and Oberlin College sporting events for nearly 40 years.
Abram, who died March 2018 at the age of 89, was instrumental in bringing the Boys & Girls Clubs to Lorain County as a founding board member and past president of the Boys & Girls Clubs of
Lorain County as well as a
beloved coach of baseball
and soccer.
He also served as chair of the City of Oberlin’s Minority Business Advisory Committee. Jessie Reeder, chair of the Oberlin Underground Railroad Center’s Implementation Team, dedicated the pavilion as a place to provide rest and comfort to pedestrians, bicyclists and those who just want to stop for a lunch break.
“I saw a gentleman sitting out here all by himself eating his lunch and it was great,” Reeder said. “It is the team’s hope that this pavilion will be symbolic of George’s open and inviting character: a kind, loving, caring individual, a delightful smile, a deep resonating voice; a man who found gaps in our community to advance the same spirit.”
Oberlin Councilwoman Sharon Pearson called Abrams a mentor and father figure as someone who fueled her passion for social justice and a kinder world.
“He was always so happy, laughing, joyful, and we were firing full of stories from the past,” Pearson said. “So I urge all of you, if there is someone like George, that you look up to don’t wait to really get to know them, treasure them now. There are these very unique and special people, and you’ll never find anyone just like them.”
George Abram’s son, Gregory Abram, thanked the city on behalf of the Abram family for honoring their father and to cultivate his passion for developing cultural awareness, unity and love throughout the community he cared for.
“Without your vision, we would not be standing here today. Thank you for bringing your vision to life, along with the spirit of our fathers resounding voice that will never, ever fade away,” Gregory Abram said.