Maurice Abramson

A resident of Broward County (Hallandale Beach and Plantation), Dr. Maurice Abramson, died on October 24, 2014 at the age of 103. Born in 1911 in Newark, New Jersey, he spent his childhood in Belleville, New Jersey, where he learned to play the violin; graduated from Cornell University in 1933; and from Thomas Jefferson Medical College in 1937. After interning at Philadelphia General Hospital for two years, he set up a family practice in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia with the aim of becoming an obstetrician and gynecologist. At the time, doctors still made house calls and Doc Maury, as he was called in his later years, decided to perform home deliveries at $35 per delivery. In 1942, when the US entered World War II and needed doctors, he signed up in the Army Medical Corp. Following basic training in West Palm Beach, Florida; a stint in Presque Isle, Maine; and an assignment in Goose Bay, Labrador, now Captain Abramson found himself a surgeon with the 100th General Hospital, attached to the 3rd Army. On D-Day plus 30, the hospital made it to Southampton, crossed the Channel on the SS Leopoldville, and landed in Normandy. Once settled, as part of the field hospital, Captain Abramson helped take care of the Battle of Bastogne casualties. Back at home after the war, he reopened his office, where he practiced for almost fifty years, retiring in 1987. Over the course of his practice, he delivered at least 3,000 babies - including babies of mothers he had delivered previously. During his retirement years, he began to sculpt, play the violin, golf, and travel with his wife, Gilda, spending time in Hallandale, Florida, as well as in their home in Elkins Park. Having moved permanently to South Florida in 2003, Doc Maury spent his later years close to his daughter Joan and his son Scott, and their spouses Jack and Norah. He played violin with the Hallandale Symphonic Pops Orchestra for five years. His final move was to the 5-Star Premier Residence in Plantation, where he delighted the residents with his violin playing at Friday night Sabbath services. He was the beloved husband of the late Gilda (nee Feinstein), loving father of Joan Schnettler (Jack) and Scott Abramson (Norah), and the late Eric Abramson. Graveside services were held on October 28, 2014 at King David Memorial Park (Sect. N), Bensalem, PA. Donations in memory of Dr. Maurice Abramson may be made in support of Jefferson Hospital. Please make checks payable to Jefferson and mail to: Office of Institutional Advancement, 125 S. 9th St., Suite 700, Philadelphia, PA 19107 or donate online by visiting Advancement.Jefferson.edu/memorialgiving" www.goldsteinsfuneral.com