Obituary of Abraham Cherkes

Abraham Cherkes - Obiturary Abraham Cherkes, age 93 of Scranton, PA passed away on Thursday, December 22, 2016 at the Gino Merli Veterans Center. He was born on March 22, 1923 in Manhattan, NY to the late Charles and Minnie (Spector) Cherkes. Abe, as he was fondly called, was a loving husband, father, grandfather and devoted educator for the New York City school system for 30 years. Raised in the Bronx between 1930-1950, Abe served in the United States Army from 1943-1945 in the Asiatic Pacific theater returning home with war wounds. On December 24, 1946, he married Shirley T. (Gorowitz) Cherkes in Manhattan, NY and over the years raised four daughters in Jackson Heights and Howard Beach, Queens. After Abraham returned home from the war, he attended New York University under the GI Bill and received a Bachelor of Science Degree as well as Masters in Arts Degree in high school teaching. Later, he returned to NYU as a doctoral student to create a program learning system for bookkeeping based on B.F.Skinner's educational theory and research. During his teaching career, he taught bookkeeping math to high school students at Eli Whitney Vocational High School in Brooklyn and then transferred to Flushing High School a few years before retirement. Additionally, Abe supported his family by working after hours as an adult education teacher and handball coach. Upon retiring in 1974, Abraham moved the family to Hemlock Farms in Hawley, PA where he and Shirley were active membersof the Hemlock Farms community volunteering their time to organizations such as the Hemlock Farms Fire and Rescue Company and Hemlock Farms Jewish Fellowship. For over 30 years, he and his wife were instrumental in coordinating numerous fundraising activities and social events for the Hemlock Farms community. Abraham was a charter member and Vice President of the 50 Plus Club of Hemlock Farms and enjoyed square dancing for many years. He was employed as a security guard for Hemlock Farms as well. Later in life, Abraham's favorite activities were playing bingo, listening to music, doing word puzzles, dancing, watching Yankee or Mets baseball, and bike-riding. He is survived by four daughters: Ellen R. Cherkes and her long-time companion Bill Manion of Long Island City, NY, a daughter Caren C. Snell and her husband James A. Snell of Fort Myers, FL, a daughter Sybil N. Allen of Greentown, PA, a daughter Ilene P. Abrahamsen and her husband Eric Abrahamsen of Rowland, PA; five grandchildren: grandson Dr. Ian Allen (wife Maureen Allen) of Hatboro, PA, granddaughter Dr. Marjory E. Snell (fiancé Justin Hammerschmidt) of San Diego, CA, grandson Joshua Cherkes (wife Jocelyn Cherkes) of Brooklyn NY, grandson David A. Snell (fiancé Kristen Marie Baker) of Tampa, FL, and grandson Zachary Heath of Newfoundland, PA; two great grandchildren, Kieran Allen and Greyson Allen of Hatboro, PA. A memorial service will be held March 31, 2017 at 11 AM in the Congregation Beth Israel, Honesdale, PA. An unveiling of the headstone will follow at Beth Israel Cemetery in Honesdale, PA. Donations can be made in Abraham's name to the Jewish National Fund- Plant Trees In Israel at http://www.jnf.org/support/tree-planting-center/ or you can call 888-JNF-0099 for further information. Arrangements attended by Arthur A. Bryant Funeral Home, 1228 North Main St. Honesdale.