Michael Joel Abrams of Indiana passed away on Sunday, June 14, 2020 at his residence at the Communities at Indian Haven. The son of the late Howard Abrams and his wife, Ina Rae, Michael was born in 1959 at Indiana Hospital. Thought burdened with a debilitating disability from birth, Michael lived a long and happy life. A life that no doctor or anyone who knew him ever expected.
When asked how he was doing his answer was always the same, “fine, fine, fine!” His two favorite things to do were meeting people and making new friends. Once he knew your name, he never forgot it, even years later. He always wanted to know two things: how are you and where do you live? Everywhere he went he made lifelong friends. His infectious joy and laughter brought light to all that spent even just a short time in his company.
For those that took care of him the constant refrain was, “you’re fired!” He would always follow that up with a hug or a kiss, and then fire them again. All of it punctuated by his huge laugh. He loved a good joke, to sing his favorite songs, and to roll through the halls of wherever he lived saying, “I love you” to his many friends. He truly did touch the lives of all that knew him and brought joy everywhere he went. As he would tell you a hundred times a day, “Mikey happy!”
The family would like to thank those wonderful people at The Evergreen Homes in Ford City and at The Communities at Indian Haven in Indiana who took such good care of him over the years. It was so obvious that the love he gave was returned to him a hundred times over. To all of the people who bathed and dressed him, fed him, took him shopping, watched Sponge Bob, laughed and sang, and taught him to gobble like a turkey, we are forever grateful.
Michael was preceded in death by his father Howard and is survived by his mother Ina Rae, his brother Steve, sister-in-law Meredith, his adoring niece Maya, and many aunts, uncles and cousins who loved him with all of their hearts.
The Bowser-Minich Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. He will be buried next to his father at the Oakland Cemetery. In lieu of cards or flowers, please make a donation to the Disability Community Resource Center at www.dcrc.co
