Thomas William Abrams

 Thomas “Tom” William Abrams, age 86, a resident of Rome, PA, passed away on Wednesday, November 14, 2018, at the Robert Packer Hospital, in Sayre, PA.

He was delivered by his grandmother Jane Knolles on July 26, 1932, in Wyalusing, PA, a son of William P. Abrams and Anna Knolles Abrams. In 1950, Tom graduated from Wyalusing Valley High School and in that same year began working at Wellco Gas Station owned by Welles Mill Company and then at Welles Feed Mill before joining the US Army in January of 1953. He served for two years, including 11 months and 18 days in Korea. He was a life member of the VFW and Disabled American Veterans. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend. He will be sorely missed.

Tom went on to earn his BS degree at East Stroudsburg College, starting in 1955 and graduating in 1959. His first teaching job was at Pocono Mountain Jointure, Tobyhanna High School, where he remained until 1960 when he began as a Social Studies teacher and Home and School Visitor at Wyalusing Valley High School. The same year he married Helen Goetz Abrams in August, with whom he had three sons.

Tom earned his Master’s degree from Bucknell University in 1964, after which he was hired as Assistant Junior-Senior High School Principal and Athletics Director in Towanda and then advanced to Junior-Senior Principal in 1968, before becoming Senior High Principal in 1970. Tom served in that position until 1974 when he returned to the classroom teaching social studies and life skills. In January 1989 he became Principal of Towanda Middle School, where he remained until his retirement in 1992.

He coached the girls’ softball team at Towanda High School over several years, during which they won the league title. Following retirement he coached boy’s elementary basketball at the Northeast Bradford School District. For 29 years, Tom served Stevens Township as a secretary, treasurer, and supervisor. At Wysox EMS he served as both the Board and Corps treasurer for 24 years. He was a Covenant Partner at Rome Presbyterian Church. Tom was devoted to civic life and shared his natural capacity to see the big picture that led to new service programs. He got great enjoyment from baseball and basketball and supported local teams and players in many ways. Tom loved all aspects of gardening and celebrated the bounty. His wit and quick mind left an impression!

In August 1998, Tom married his surviving wife Sylvia Radway Abrams. In addition to his parents he was predeceased by his first wife Helen, four sisters, Bernice Arey, Genevieve Kelly, Althea Abrams, and Reva Caswell; and he is survived by his sons, William C. Abrams of Boca Raton, FL; Robert M. (Kimberly) Abrams of Huntersville, NC; David S. Abrams of Liverpool, NY; and Allen P. (Janice) Radway of Philadelphia, PA; and daughter, Susan J. (Dave) Scott of Syracuse, NY; and grandchildren Tommy, Leigh, Charlie, Alex, Anna, Andrew, Morgan, Demetri, Cali, Clarabelle, Andrew, Hailey, and great granddaughter Maddy. He had several nieces and nephews.

          A Celebration of Tom’s life will be held on Saturday, November 17, 2018, at 11:00 A.M. at the Rome Presbyterian Church, with his pastor, the Rev. Dr. Karen Ballard, officiating.  Interment will be at a later date in the Wyalusing Cemetery.

          Friends may call on Saturday morning at the church from 9:00 A.M. until the start of the service at 11:00 A.M. The family will provide flowers and suggest memorial contributions be made instead to Rome Presbyterian Church, PO Box 189, Rome, PA 18837.

          Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the P. Dean Homer Funeral Home, 1 Grovedale Lane, Wyalusing, PA 18853

          To send condolences or sign the e-guestbook, please go to www.homerfuneralhome.com.