Alva Thomas Abrams, Rehoboth shop owner
Alva Thomas Abrams, 82, passed away peacefully at Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas, Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021. He was born Feb. 23, 1938, in Allendale, S.C., to the late Marjorie Carter Abrams and Raymond Abrams.
He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Linda Pennington Abrams; his twin daughters Victoria (Jonathan) Aunet of Hockessin and Valerie (Jerry) Aunet of Landenberg, Pa. Al’s son, Christopher Michael Abrams, predeceased him in 2009. Al is also survived by his two stepdaughters, Andrea Schoch Brooks (Scott) of Hockessin and Laura Schoch Farach (Andrew) of Houston. He was the proud grandfather of nine: Jerry Aunet III, Amanda Padgett, Matthew Aunet, Brittany Aunet, Jordan Aunet, Liam Brooks, Natalie Farach, Sebastian Brooks and Simone Farach; and his four great-grandchildren: Aria Aunet, Lakely Padgett, Teagan Aunet and Lyle Padgett. He is also survived by his siblings: Phyllis Thielemann, Diane Doane, Winifred Dinehart and Raymond Abrams.
Al was immensely proud of his family. He would often tell stories of his twin girls who married brothers, a remarkably interesting family dynamic! He was active in the lives of his children, attending games and other events, and was even a Little League coach when his son, Chris, played ball. Years later, he repeated this same love and support in the lives of his two stepdaughters.
After spending his early childhood in South Carolina, Al moved to Wilmington where he spent most of his adult life. There, he graduated from Brown Vocational High School in 1957 as a machinist and became expert with a lathe. He went on to work at DuPont, Continental Can Company and Ronson. Later, he and his business partner formed a model-making company in Cherry Hill, N.J. One of his proudest accomplishments was working with the U.S. government on a 40-foot model ship of the proposed icebreaker, The U.S. Coast Guard Polar Star. His model-making company was hired to create a working model of the ship prior to its being built.
With the use of this model, the shipbuilders were able to identify and avoid potential problems and interferences, thus saving lots of time and money during the building process. Completed in 1976, this icebreaker could work its way through two feet of solid ice. The Polar Star is still in service today. Al later was employed in the Operations Department at Stuart Pharmaceuticals Newark Plant, now AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals. He played an integral role at the plant…one of those people who knows everyone. Al was always ready, willing, and able to help anyone who needed him. Some of his fondest memories were of those who worked there, and he made many lifelong friends. Al retired in 2004 after 28 years of service.
Al loved all things musical…dancing, playing and listening to music of all genres. He particularly loved ‘50s Doo Wop, ‘60s rock ‘n’ roll, and ‘70s disco! As a teenager, he played drums in a band. He was often on Grady & Hurst’s Dance Party (the precursor to American Bandstand) televised in the Marine Ballroom of the Steel Pier, Atlantic City, during the summer months. Al’s love of music and dancing played a big role throughout his life.
Travel to the Caribbean was also one of Al’s favorites. He always wanted to go where there were palm trees. He took numerous cruises to nearly every major island in the Caribbean. Trips to Florida in the winter were at the top of his list. Also, he traveled twice to Las Vegas to visit dear friends and see remarkable shows that only Las Vegas can provide. He took the opportunity to take a European trip with neighbors in 2011 to his ancestors’ homeland, Greece, which included an unforgettable cruise of Italian and Greek islands, and a stop off in Ephesus, Turkey.
After retiring at the beach, he didn’t stop. For the last 13 years, Al was co-owner of Sea Finds Home & Gift in Penny Lane, Rehoboth Beach, and in June of 2020, founded and opened its sister store, Penny Lane Lighting by Sea Finds at the opposite end of Penny Lane. He loved meeting new people and always chatted with customers. He had a generous heart and would often give small children a little gift when they would come into Sea Finds just for being good. One of his greatest joys was attending trade shows for his businesses in Atlanta, New York, and High Point, N.C., to name a few. He had a good eye for what would sell and took great delight as a buyer.
Al also loved his country. He was respectful of the American flag and put them everywhere around his home and businesses. His one regret was that he was unable to serve in the military, but he supported veterans and the military every chance he got, and always stood for the national anthem even if he was watching a game in his own living room.
He was a dedicated, supportive husband, father, stepfather and grandfather. He had an easy smile and quick wit. In addition to his love of family, he was blessed with many friends who would often comment on all the funny sayings he had and the stories he told. He loved his pets: Sneakers, Gabby, Digger and Reggie, and spoiled them constantly. He loved his sports teams, vintage cars, planting flowers, and attending Epworth Church on Sundays and Robin Hood Restaurant afterward for breakfast. He had an incredibly full life…full of love and laughter. He will be dearly missed by so many, but knowing he is resting comfortably in the arms of the Lord gives us comfort.
A Memorial Service at Epworth UMC followed by a Celebration of Life Luncheon is planned for May. Details to follow.
