Joseph A. Abelman (Joe), age 104, passed away on October 20, 2021 in Mesa, Arizona.
Beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather.
Joe was born September 19, 1917 in San Antonio, Texas to Alex and Lena Abelman. Joe had one younger brother, Alvin Abelman of San Antonio TX.
Joe trying to make his way through the Great Depression, Joe left San Antonio in 1935 and joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), eventually making his way to Los Angeles, where he met the love of his life, Lillian M. Williams (Lil). They married on April 9, 1939 and celebrated over eighty years of marriage, eventually becoming the longest married couple in Arizona. They were the perfect couple--Lil the extrovert and Joe the introvert. Joe loved his wife, his family and dumb dad jokes. Joe was especially fond of elephant jokes. Joe would always be the first to ask you "why did the elephant cross the road"?
Over their remarkable (80) eighty-year marriage, Joe and Lil had three children, including Stephen Abelman (deceased) (wife Kay Abelman), Peggy Shevlin and Karen Huff (husband Roger Huff) as well as four grandchildren Becky Trojan, Jill Alsman, Kellie Shevlin Stafsudd and Jennifer Shevlin Nichols) and three step-grandchildren (Tracy, Jeff, and Sherrie). Joe also had seven great-grandchildren (Stephen, Tracy, Stephanie, Katie, Kasey, James and Cameron) and one great-great grandchild (Sey) Joe's family was always rounded out with dogs -- from shepherds to chihuahuas.
Joe loved baseball and helped start up the first little leagues in Los Angeles during the 1950s. His favorite team was the Los Angeles Dodgers until he moved to Arizona where he became a life-long fan of the Diamondbacks Watching his Diamondbacks win the World Series in 2001 was a highlight for this sports fan who never missed a game on TV. Joe was also an avid collector of stamps and coins and had created quite a collection from items throughout US history. As he got older, Joe started to use the internet and became well versed in eBay and email allowing him to both buy and sell his prized stamps with a lot more speed and efficiency.
Joe's first job in California was at Barker Bros. in Los Angeles as an elevator operator, a job he said "had many ups and downs". Joe then went into the U.S. Army during World War II and was stationed in Japan as a corporal for the post-war clean up. After finishing his stint in the Army, Joe went to work for North American Aviation (Boeing) as a tool engineer until the late 1960s when he decided to jump into the burgeoning Southern California real estate market specializing in both residential and corporate sales. This proved to be a good move as he was able to retire with Lil to Hawaii in 1978. Using the Big Island as a "home base", they traveled to six of the seven continents, planning intricate trips around the world before the internet and long-distance calling.
In 1988, they moved to Eugene, Oregon for a short stint and then on to Mesa in 1992 where they lived on a golf course in Leisure World for 29 years. Joe was never happier then when family was around, and nobody could tell a story better. His family will miss sitting around the table after dinner and listening to his stories from travel, working and commuting in Los Angeles. (Joe was only in three car accidents in over eighty years of driving, he was hit by a train, ambulance, and a fire truck).
Joe will be missed by all who knew him. We love you!
Beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather.
Joe was born September 19, 1917 in San Antonio, Texas to Alex and Lena Abelman. Joe had one younger brother, Alvin Abelman of San Antonio TX.
Joe trying to make his way through the Great Depression, Joe left San Antonio in 1935 and joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), eventually making his way to Los Angeles, where he met the love of his life, Lillian M. Williams (Lil). They married on April 9, 1939 and celebrated over eighty years of marriage, eventually becoming the longest married couple in Arizona. They were the perfect couple--Lil the extrovert and Joe the introvert. Joe loved his wife, his family and dumb dad jokes. Joe was especially fond of elephant jokes. Joe would always be the first to ask you "why did the elephant cross the road"?
Over their remarkable (80) eighty-year marriage, Joe and Lil had three children, including Stephen Abelman (deceased) (wife Kay Abelman), Peggy Shevlin and Karen Huff (husband Roger Huff) as well as four grandchildren Becky Trojan, Jill Alsman, Kellie Shevlin Stafsudd and Jennifer Shevlin Nichols) and three step-grandchildren (Tracy, Jeff, and Sherrie). Joe also had seven great-grandchildren (Stephen, Tracy, Stephanie, Katie, Kasey, James and Cameron) and one great-great grandchild (Sey) Joe's family was always rounded out with dogs -- from shepherds to chihuahuas.
Joe loved baseball and helped start up the first little leagues in Los Angeles during the 1950s. His favorite team was the Los Angeles Dodgers until he moved to Arizona where he became a life-long fan of the Diamondbacks Watching his Diamondbacks win the World Series in 2001 was a highlight for this sports fan who never missed a game on TV. Joe was also an avid collector of stamps and coins and had created quite a collection from items throughout US history. As he got older, Joe started to use the internet and became well versed in eBay and email allowing him to both buy and sell his prized stamps with a lot more speed and efficiency.
Joe's first job in California was at Barker Bros. in Los Angeles as an elevator operator, a job he said "had many ups and downs". Joe then went into the U.S. Army during World War II and was stationed in Japan as a corporal for the post-war clean up. After finishing his stint in the Army, Joe went to work for North American Aviation (Boeing) as a tool engineer until the late 1960s when he decided to jump into the burgeoning Southern California real estate market specializing in both residential and corporate sales. This proved to be a good move as he was able to retire with Lil to Hawaii in 1978. Using the Big Island as a "home base", they traveled to six of the seven continents, planning intricate trips around the world before the internet and long-distance calling.
In 1988, they moved to Eugene, Oregon for a short stint and then on to Mesa in 1992 where they lived on a golf course in Leisure World for 29 years. Joe was never happier then when family was around, and nobody could tell a story better. His family will miss sitting around the table after dinner and listening to his stories from travel, working and commuting in Los Angeles. (Joe was only in three car accidents in over eighty years of driving, he was hit by a train, ambulance, and a fire truck).
Joe will be missed by all who knew him. We love you!
Joseph A. Abelman (Joe), age 104, passed away on October 20, 2021 in Mesa, Arizona.
Beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather.
Joe was born September 19, 1917 in San Antonio, Texas to Alex and Lena Abelman. Joe had one younger brother, Alvin Abelman of San Antonio TX.
Joe trying to make his way through the Great Depression, Joe left San Antonio in 1935 and joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), eventually making his way to Los Angeles, where he met the love of his life, Lillian M. Williams (Lil). They married on April 9, 1939 and celebrated over eighty years of marriage, eventually becoming the longest married couple in Arizona. They were the perfect couple--Lil the extrovert and Joe the introvert. Joe loved his wife, his family and dumb dad jokes. Joe was especially fond of elephant jokes. Joe would always be the first to ask you "why did the elephant cross the road"?
Over their remarkable (80) eighty-year marriage, Joe and Lil had three children, including Stephen Abelman (deceased) (wife Kay Abelman), Peggy Shevlin and Karen Huff (husband Roger Huff) as well as four grandchildren Becky Trojan, Jill Alsman, Kellie Shevlin Stafsudd and Jennifer Shevlin Nichols) and three step-grandchildren (Tracy, Jeff, and Sherrie). Joe also had seven great-grandchildren (Stephen, Tracy, Stephanie, Katie, Kasey, James and Cameron) and one great-great grandchild (Sey) Joe's family was always rounded out with dogs -- from shepherds to chihuahuas.
Joe loved baseball and helped start up the first little leagues in Los Angeles during the 1950s. His favorite team was the Los Angeles Dodgers until he moved to Arizona where he became a life-long fan of the Diamondbacks Watching his Diamondbacks win the World Series in 2001 was a highlight for this sports fan who never missed a game on TV. Joe was also an avid collector of stamps and coins and had created quite a collection from items throughout US history. As he got older, Joe started to use the internet and became well versed in eBay and email allowing him to both buy and sell his prized stamps with a lot more speed and efficiency.
Joe's first job in California was at Barker Bros. in Los Angeles as an elevator operator, a job he said "had many ups and downs". Joe then went into the U.S. Army during World War II and was stationed in Japan as a corporal for the post-war clean up. After finishing his stint in the Army, Joe went to work for North American Aviation (Boeing) as a tool engineer until the late 1960s when he decided to jump into the burgeoning Southern California real estate market specializing in both residential and corporate sales. This proved to be a good move as he was able to retire with Lil to Hawaii in 1978. Using the Big Island as a "home base", they traveled to six of the seven continents, planning intricate trips around the world before the internet and long-distance calling.
In 1988, they moved to Eugene, Oregon for a short stint and then on to Mesa in 1992 where they lived on a golf course in Leisure World for 29 years. Joe was never happier then when family was around, and nobody could tell a story better. His family will miss sitting around the table after dinner and listening to his stories from travel, working and commuting in Los Angeles. (Joe was only in three car accidents in over eighty years of driving, he was hit by a train, ambulance, and a fire truck).
Joe will be missed by all who knew him. We love you!
Beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather.
Joe was born September 19, 1917 in San Antonio, Texas to Alex and Lena Abelman. Joe had one younger brother, Alvin Abelman of San Antonio TX.
Joe trying to make his way through the Great Depression, Joe left San Antonio in 1935 and joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), eventually making his way to Los Angeles, where he met the love of his life, Lillian M. Williams (Lil). They married on April 9, 1939 and celebrated over eighty years of marriage, eventually becoming the longest married couple in Arizona. They were the perfect couple--Lil the extrovert and Joe the introvert. Joe loved his wife, his family and dumb dad jokes. Joe was especially fond of elephant jokes. Joe would always be the first to ask you "why did the elephant cross the road"?
Over their remarkable (80) eighty-year marriage, Joe and Lil had three children, including Stephen Abelman (deceased) (wife Kay Abelman), Peggy Shevlin and Karen Huff (husband Roger Huff) as well as four grandchildren Becky Trojan, Jill Alsman, Kellie Shevlin Stafsudd and Jennifer Shevlin Nichols) and three step-grandchildren (Tracy, Jeff, and Sherrie). Joe also had seven great-grandchildren (Stephen, Tracy, Stephanie, Katie, Kasey, James and Cameron) and one great-great grandchild (Sey) Joe's family was always rounded out with dogs -- from shepherds to chihuahuas.
Joe loved baseball and helped start up the first little leagues in Los Angeles during the 1950s. His favorite team was the Los Angeles Dodgers until he moved to Arizona where he became a life-long fan of the Diamondbacks Watching his Diamondbacks win the World Series in 2001 was a highlight for this sports fan who never missed a game on TV. Joe was also an avid collector of stamps and coins and had created quite a collection from items throughout US history. As he got older, Joe started to use the internet and became well versed in eBay and email allowing him to both buy and sell his prized stamps with a lot more speed and efficiency.
Joe's first job in California was at Barker Bros. in Los Angeles as an elevator operator, a job he said "had many ups and downs". Joe then went into the U.S. Army during World War II and was stationed in Japan as a corporal for the post-war clean up. After finishing his stint in the Army, Joe went to work for North American Aviation (Boeing) as a tool engineer until the late 1960s when he decided to jump into the burgeoning Southern California real estate market specializing in both residential and corporate sales. This proved to be a good move as he was able to retire with Lil to Hawaii in 1978. Using the Big Island as a "home base", they traveled to six of the seven continents, planning intricate trips around the world before the internet and long-distance calling.
In 1988, they moved to Eugene, Oregon for a short stint and then on to Mesa in 1992 where they lived on a golf course in Leisure World for 29 years. Joe was never happier then when family was around, and nobody could tell a story better. His family will miss sitting around the table after dinner and listening to his stories from travel, working and commuting in Los Angeles. (Joe was only in three car accidents in over eighty years of driving, he was hit by a train, ambulance, and a fire truck).
Joe will be missed by all who knew him. We love you!
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