Born on June 19, 1925 to Meyer and Sadie Katz Abrams in Paterson, New Jersey, Sol was raised in the Bronx, NY and graduated from James Monroe High School. Upon graduation he began an apprenticeship at Universal Pictures by day while studying advertising , publicity and marketing by night at the City College of New York .
Sol proudly served in the United States Air Force during WW II with the First Army Air Force Base Unit of the Strategic Air Command. , stationed at Bowling Air Force Base . He was the first to receive the coveted Army Commendation Medal for his public relations achievements . He was very proud of his service to his country and was an active member of the Cpl Charles M. Wallach Post 773 of the Jewish War Veterans of the USA. Sol served twice as commander of this post and was honored by them as man of the year in 1988.
Upon completing his military service, Sol continued his education and graduated from Long Island University in 1949 with a BS degree in Journalism and Public Relations . While still in college, Sol and a group of entertainment industry personalities ,who also served in the Army Air Corps, founded the Show Business Squadron of the Air Force Association. At the same time,he founded and was the first president of the William Bernstein Young Zionist District of the Zionist Organization of the America.
Following College, Sol worked for Universal Pictures and then for Bert Nevins, one of his early mentors , where he later became a partner . It was through this job that he worked on the Palisades Amusement Park account, which would bring him to the professional work he was most proud of. Sol was the Director of Public Relations for Palisades Amusement Park for almost 25 years. He is fondly remembered for his creative stunts and events to promote the Park including putting an elephant on water skiis in the Hudson River. Through his private Public Relations Firm, Sol also provided the public relations services for The Atlantic City Steel Pier, The Hamid- Morton Circus and the New Jersey State Fair for many years. Later in his professional career, he was the Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Communications for Murphy Realty/Better Homes and Gardens.
Sol once stated " I have had the most colorful and exciting experiences that anyone in my profession could possibly have- spanning the spectrum since 1942 from Press Agentry to Public Affairs '
Sol was a Life Member of the Publicity Club of New York and was founder and first President of the Public Relations Association of New Jersey
Sol met Zelda Handelsman on April 16, 1955. It was love at first sight. They married less than one year later and soon after moved to New Jersey where he and Zelda raised their three children. Sol had a deep love and devotion to Judiasm which he instilled in his children and grandchildren. He was an active member of the New Milford Jewish Center since 1958, serving throughout the years on the Board of Directors. He also served as the United Jewish Appeal ( UJA ) Chairman in his community for many years.
Sol loved to garden. He could put a stick in the ground and it grew. He also enjoyed history , drawing, nature and animals. He and Zelda enjoyed traveling . Above all, he loved his family. He adored his children, their spouses and his 6 grandchildren. He was so proud of all of them . He will be sorely missed.
Sol is survived by Zelda, his wife of 59 years, his children: Jill Schneck and husband Stewart Schneck of North Caldwell. NJ, Sue Finkel and husband Marc Finkel of Raleigh, NC and Gary Abrams and wife Andrea Abrams of Centerville, Ohio, his grandchildren Alyse Finkel, Zach Finkel, Avi Schneck, ArielleSchneck, Erica Abrams, Sarah Abrams and his sister Judy Rosen of West Palm Beach, Florida
A special thank you to Art Cohen for his weekly visits and friendship, Jackie and Jody of Valley Hospice and his aides, Edward and Elizabeth.
Funeral services will be held on Friday April 17th, at 1PM at Gutterman Musicant , 402 Park Street, Hackensack with burial following at Beth-El Cemetary in Paramus.
Donations in his memory may be made to The Jewish Community Center of Paramus/CBT or Valley Hospice.
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