Dancing with the Angels
August 14, 2001
Michael Abraham has served the Kfeirian Reunion Foundation for many years and in several capacities. In honor of his vision and service, Mike was bestowed the title of President Emeritus at the 2019 Reunion. At that time, Michael was completing his 10th nonconsecutive year of being the President of the Reunion which spanned from 1994 (62nd Reunion) to 2019 (87th Reunion).
Many things changed during that time frame, but one thing did not. Unchanging was Michael’s commitment, dedication and devotion to the Kfeirian family organization that his grandfather Mike Abraham helped to organize back in 1933. We all grew up in the Reunion and are proud of it.
Michael’s goal for the Kfeirian families was to work toward 100 years of Kfeirian Reunions and he talked about reaching that goal often. He focused on new and innovative ideas to make the reunion better. He also retained much of the history of our past reunions. His voice, was the voice of the Reunion! But he also loved a good party, to “dubke” with his cousins, catch up on all the family news, educate our students via the Scholarship Fund and bring new people to the Reunion.
In July 2021, we visited and spent quality time with our beloved cousin Mike and his wife, Nora, in their home in Jacksonville, Fla. We feasted on traditional Lebanese meals and visited one of his favorite Lebanese Bakeries and Markets. His spirit was strong, even as his physical strength was waning. He was skillfully supported by the loving care of Nora and his health care team, many of whom we met on our visit.
We had a wonderful time together, but if you know Mike, a great time is the only experience you can have. This loss of a loved one causes pain and sadness. Perhaps the price of love.
With Love, your cousins, Sherry Mickel Parrish & Denise Mickel Russell
August 14, 2001
Michael Abraham has served the Kfeirian Reunion Foundation for many years and in several capacities. In honor of his vision and service, Mike was bestowed the title of President Emeritus at the 2019 Reunion. At that time, Michael was completing his 10th nonconsecutive year of being the President of the Reunion which spanned from 1994 (62nd Reunion) to 2019 (87th Reunion).
Many things changed during that time frame, but one thing did not. Unchanging was Michael’s commitment, dedication and devotion to the Kfeirian family organization that his grandfather Mike Abraham helped to organize back in 1933. We all grew up in the Reunion and are proud of it.
Michael’s goal for the Kfeirian families was to work toward 100 years of Kfeirian Reunions and he talked about reaching that goal often. He focused on new and innovative ideas to make the reunion better. He also retained much of the history of our past reunions. His voice, was the voice of the Reunion! But he also loved a good party, to “dubke” with his cousins, catch up on all the family news, educate our students via the Scholarship Fund and bring new people to the Reunion.
In July 2021, we visited and spent quality time with our beloved cousin Mike and his wife, Nora, in their home in Jacksonville, Fla. We feasted on traditional Lebanese meals and visited one of his favorite Lebanese Bakeries and Markets. His spirit was strong, even as his physical strength was waning. He was skillfully supported by the loving care of Nora and his health care team, many of whom we met on our visit.
We had a wonderful time together, but if you know Mike, a great time is the only experience you can have. This loss of a loved one causes pain and sadness. Perhaps the price of love.
With Love, your cousins, Sherry Mickel Parrish & Denise Mickel Russell
Michael Abraham's Memorial Remarks
By Joseph Peck
August 21, 2021
Good afternoon.
My name is Joseph Peck and I am the Vice President of the Kfeirian Reunion Foundation.
I am blessed and humbled to be here on this very special day in celebrating the life of our beloved brother in Christ, Michael Abraham.
As many of you who read Mike’s obituary or Nora’s Facebook posts, you may have seen that it was Mike’s wishes, that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Kfeirian Reunion Foundation. Many of you may be wondering what this foundation is that has a funny sounding name. Please allow me to tell you a little about it and what it meant for our dear Mike.
Mike’s ancestors on his father’s side came to these shores from a tiny village in Lebanon called Kfeir. About 2 hours from Lebanon’s capital city Beirut, Kfeir is nestled on the slopes of Mount Hermon, the same mountain mentioned throughout the bible.
There was an influx of migration from Kfeir during the late 19th/early 20th centuries. Our families left Lebanon for better opportunities and freedoms, many without a dollar in their pocket. The Lebanese poet Khalil Gibran wrote “Let me tell you who are the children of my Lebanon… They are those who migrate with nothing but courage in their hearts and strength in their arms”.
The majority of our families settled in West Virginia and in Ohio. Mike’s family settled in southern WV.
In the late 1920’s, many of our relatives started to gather informally to connect, catch up and celebrate the new found freedoms and opportunities our great nation had to offer. At an informal gathering in 1932 in Huntington, WV, Mike Abraham, Mike’s grandfather was the main speaker. At this gathering, it was suggested that this be an annual gathering. After gaining an overwhelming approval, the suggestion was adopted and approved. The following year during the family gathering in Toledo, Ohio, the Kfeirian Reunion was established. Mike’s grandfather played a key role and was one of the Reunions founding members.
This passion and love of heritage that Mike (the grandfather) had was passed down through his son, Ray and eventually through his son, our beloved Mike.
Mike’s lifelong passion for his Kfeirian Reunion never wavered. He carried on the torch that was passed down from his ancestors. Mike was a life-long member of the Reunion and has supported the Reunion in numerous ways most notably serving as the President of the Reunion’s Board of Trustees for 10 years between 1994 and 2019.
Mike’s goal for the reunion was to achieve its 100th anniversary, and he talked about reaching that goal often. Next year we will be celebrating our 90th anniversary in Mike’s hometown of Huntington, WV. He focused on new and innovative ideas to make the reunion better. He also retained much of the history of our past reunions. His voice, was the voice of the Reunion! He loved gathering with his cousins every year, catching up on all the family news. He was also an advocate for our youth, educating them about their family heritage and encouraging them to continue their education though support of the Kfeirian Reunion Scholarship program.
Mike’s passion for his beloved reunion will live on through generations to come. It will live on through his loving nieces Kerry, Kristy and Kimberly, through his sister Linda, through his only child Michael, through his loving bride, Nora, through his father, Ray… through me… and through everyone else that had the absolute privilege of knowing and loving this great man.
“Well done, thou good and faithful servant… Enter now into the joy of thy Lord” (Matthew 25:21).
Joseph M. Peck