Abram’s life began in the middle of the global conflict of World War II. His father Pinchas, the only surviving member of his group of seven brothers who all perished in the Holocaust, had fled Poland to the relative safety of Russia, where Abram and his twin brother Sam were born, the youngest of their two older brothers, Joe and Morris.
When the war ended in 1945, Abram and his family returned to his parents’ native Poland, a then decimated country where he spent his formative years growing up working with his father and brothers on their farm, selling horses and tending to their small, reclaimed corner of the world. He exhibited a very strong work ethic at an early age, but also found the time to enjoy riding horses and snow skiing (on wooden skis!). In 1957 at age 16, Abram’s family were finally able to immigrate from Poland to Israel, a life long dream of theirs, being devout Jewish survivors.
In Israel, Abram served in the army, as his brothers did. He was assigned duties as a chauffer to a general, shuttling him to and from very high level meetings with the highest of Israel’s leadership at the time. Upon completion of his service, Abram attended a trade school, learning to become a tool and dye maker, skills that would serve him well in his future endeavors.
In 1959, at age 18, Abram met his future wife Rachel at a dance in town. Abram and Rachel were married on January 16, 1964 in Israel. With the approval of Rachel’s parents Yitzchak and Henia Sniezek whom he adored, he boarded a ship with his wife to bring her to America.
They arrived in Houston on Rosh Hashana and were taken in by Abram’s Mime Dina Melnik and Fete Moishe Melnik, his aunt and uncle, in a house near Harrisburg and Lockwood in Houston’s East End.
Abram took a job at a mattress factory for $45.00 a week. Moishe and Dina kept a close eye on both of them, insisting that he deposit 100% of his paycheck into the bank every week, not letting them spend a nickel on anything, enabling Abram and Rachel to save their money to start their new life in America.
In 1965, Abram and Rachel moved to the Link Valley apartments, close to the Astrodome, where they managed the apartments for the property owner. That year, Dorene, their first child was born. Abram was smitten over her, and was driven to work even harder to support his family, as fathers often are.
1973 was a big year for Abram, having opened ABJ Motors, a purveyor of finely restored previously owned automobiles. His son Ori was born that year, and being generous as he was, he flew Rachel’s parents in from Israel for the occasion, their first ride on a plane, ever.
For 36 years, Abram built and sustained a very successful business, financing cars for so many customers over the years whose families grew up and grew old with Abram and Rachel. He touched so many lives, putting many hard working families in the neighborhood into vehicles so that they could have their essential transportation to their work and family obligations. He and Rachel were affectionately known as “Mister Abram” and “Miss Rochelle”. His hard work alongside his wife created a nurturing life for his family. Abram worked six days a week, but he never missed a single baseball game, school play, a dance, a parents’ weekend in college, and never allowed his family to go without.
Although one of many, anyone would be hard pressed to find a better example of the American dream.
In 1999, one of the greatest joys of his life occurred with the birth of his grandchildren, Benjamin and Hannah.
Abram will be fondly remembered as a determined man, who when he decided to do something, was relentless and unstoppable. He simply could not be deterred.
He is survived by his wife Rochelle of 58 years, his daughter Dorene, his son Ori, and his grandchildren Benjamin and Hannah. Preceding him in death are his parents Pinchas and Shaindl Batagower, and his brothers Morris and Sam Batagower.
Donations in Abram’s honor may be made to The Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research or Congregation Beth Yeshurun.
Service and Livestream information listed below. Please note that the cemetery does require face masks.
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