ABRAHAMS, Dr. Marc Laurence, Age 70, of Wellesley, slipped from us in his sleep on Monday July 5, 2021. Marc was a beloved son, husband, father, brother, and friend to many, as well as a great dentist who could make his patients laugh and relax even when they were in his chair. Marc lived every day filled with curiosity, acceptance, and love for his family and friends. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, the son of the late Arthur Abrahams and Sally Jacob Abrahams, Marc attended the Samuel J. Tilden High School in Brooklyn NY, State University of New York at Stony Brook, and Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, graduating cum laude in 1975. Marc leaves his beloved wife, Carol Haffenreffer Abrahams, his three children, Michael (and his fiancée Kelsey Johnson), Marie (and her fiancé Will Randall), and Alex (and his partner Emily Snell), and his brother Gary Abrahams. Marc cherished his siblings (in-law) William and Sophia Haffenreffer, Peter and the late Robin Haffenreffer, Reverend Hugh and Debbie Haffenreffer, and Jeanie and Mark Resetarits. He also adored his nieces and nephews Katie Matt, Moriah, Chris, Zachary, Hannah, and Sam.
Marc met Carol on a whitewater rafting weekend with mutual friends and the adventures never stopped. With his young family Marc hiked, climbed, camped, kayaked, skied, mountain biked, and explored many places. Marc loved running - while pushing his children in baby joggers along Nantucket’s beaches and paths, on local jogs to collect his thoughts, or long excursions training for the four marathons he was proud to complete.
Fourteen years ago Marc was diagnosed with ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Although ALS diminished Marc’s physical self, and ended his career way to early, it never took away his spirit, his intellect, his broad smile, or the mischievous twinkle in his eyes. While living with ALS, Marc participated in clinical trials through the MGH, volunteered with Google engineers to test interpretive speech software, swam in the ocean every summer, attended Broadway shows in NYC as often as he could, and continued to advise, support and lift up his friends and family.
A celebration of Marc’s life took place on July 15, 2021. In lieu of flowers, donations in Marc’s memory may be made to one of the following organizations: Compassionate Care ALS, P.O. Box 1052, West Falmouth, MA 02574; The Leonard Florence Center for Living, c/o the Chelsea Jewish Foundation, 165 Captains Row, Chelsea MA 02150; or The MGH Healey Center for ALS, 15 Parkman St. Boston, MA 02114.