Obituary for Wayne Charles Abraham
Wayne Charles Abraham was born in Innisfail, AB on January 25th, 1941, and peacefully passed away with his family surrounding him on January 15, 2021; just 10 days short of his 80th birthday.
He was the middle child born to Charles and Gertrude Abraham, having Perry Abraham as an older brother, and Darlene Parent as a younger sister. They grew up on a farm in the Grahamston district 10 miles S.E. of Innisfail. He attended the Grahamston School until grade 9, and then attended River Glen School in Red Deer for his High School years. Following graduation, he began working in 1959 at Alberta Hospital in Ponoka, AB. This inspired him to become a Psychiatric Nurse, and in 1964, he graduated from the 3 year program. But that wasn't all! He also was baptized into the Seventh-Day Adventist Church and married his first and only sweetheart; Betty Ann Hafner. She was the second youngest of six children, from the late Clarence and Mary Hafner.
In 1965, Wayne and Betty were blessed with their first child, Denise and in 1969 they were blessed again with their 2nd child; Dwayne.
Wayne worked at Alberta Hospital, Ponoka until the fall of 1971 when he entered into studies at the University of Calgary. For the next few years he both studied for his B. Sc in Psychology as well as working part time at the Calgary General Hospital. Once he obtained his undergraduate degree, in 1976; Wayne and family moved across country so he could continue his studies at University of New Brunswick in Fredericton. After 2 years he obtained his masters degree in Psychology and once again, he and the family were moved in order to continue his studies again. The family relocated to Kingston, Ontario where Wayne worked on his Ph. D for the next 2 years at Queens University; then the family returned to Alberta and Wayne continued at University of Calgary. Subsequent to his fathers death in Feb 1981, Wayne obtained employment with High Prairie community Mental Health as a Chartered Psychologist.
Wayne and Betty also became foster parents whilst living in High Prairie, but that came to an abrupt halt with their 3rd foster. Roger had captured their hearts, and thus became blessed with their 3rd child.
In August 1985, the travel bug bite once again. The family moved to Olds, Alberta where Wayne continued working as a Psychologist for Community Mental Health. It was here that Wayne and Betty were overjoyed with becoming grandparents. Denise's two boys Coleman and Carter; and Dwayne & Chawn's two children; Adam and Amber enlarged the family unit.
Wayne retired from his position with Community Mental Health in 2002 but continued counselling clients by establishing a small private practice.
In December of 2016, Wayne was greatly saddened when he lost his beloved wife of 52 years.
More sad news ensued when Wayne was diagnosed with acute leukemia in November of 2019. He underwent chemotherapy for the following year at Foothills Tom Baker Center in Calgary. During this year he was greatly blessed; two of his grandsons married their own sweethearts and Kayla and Desiree joined the family. Adam & Desiree also granted him with his great granddaughter, Harper Lynn and he was thrilled to see her stand all by herself for the first time right before him.
Wayne has always had strong bonds with any child who entered his life. This special relationship was also shared with his great nephews and niece; Mason, Logan, and Ryleigh.
Wayne was an active outdoorsman, and loved nothing better than to share it with family! This included camping in the west country, picking wild berries, fishing, hunting, riding ATV's, and generally enjoying nature. Many a drive included looking for the wild horses. And at the end of the day relaxing with a good western book. At the center of all of this was Wayne's continued faith and love of Christ, praying that one day he will again get to see his loved ones in Heaven.
Psalm 34:18
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
He was the middle child born to Charles and Gertrude Abraham, having Perry Abraham as an older brother, and Darlene Parent as a younger sister. They grew up on a farm in the Grahamston district 10 miles S.E. of Innisfail. He attended the Grahamston School until grade 9, and then attended River Glen School in Red Deer for his High School years. Following graduation, he began working in 1959 at Alberta Hospital in Ponoka, AB. This inspired him to become a Psychiatric Nurse, and in 1964, he graduated from the 3 year program. But that wasn't all! He also was baptized into the Seventh-Day Adventist Church and married his first and only sweetheart; Betty Ann Hafner. She was the second youngest of six children, from the late Clarence and Mary Hafner.
In 1965, Wayne and Betty were blessed with their first child, Denise and in 1969 they were blessed again with their 2nd child; Dwayne.
Wayne worked at Alberta Hospital, Ponoka until the fall of 1971 when he entered into studies at the University of Calgary. For the next few years he both studied for his B. Sc in Psychology as well as working part time at the Calgary General Hospital. Once he obtained his undergraduate degree, in 1976; Wayne and family moved across country so he could continue his studies at University of New Brunswick in Fredericton. After 2 years he obtained his masters degree in Psychology and once again, he and the family were moved in order to continue his studies again. The family relocated to Kingston, Ontario where Wayne worked on his Ph. D for the next 2 years at Queens University; then the family returned to Alberta and Wayne continued at University of Calgary. Subsequent to his fathers death in Feb 1981, Wayne obtained employment with High Prairie community Mental Health as a Chartered Psychologist.
Wayne and Betty also became foster parents whilst living in High Prairie, but that came to an abrupt halt with their 3rd foster. Roger had captured their hearts, and thus became blessed with their 3rd child.
In August 1985, the travel bug bite once again. The family moved to Olds, Alberta where Wayne continued working as a Psychologist for Community Mental Health. It was here that Wayne and Betty were overjoyed with becoming grandparents. Denise's two boys Coleman and Carter; and Dwayne & Chawn's two children; Adam and Amber enlarged the family unit.
Wayne retired from his position with Community Mental Health in 2002 but continued counselling clients by establishing a small private practice.
In December of 2016, Wayne was greatly saddened when he lost his beloved wife of 52 years.
More sad news ensued when Wayne was diagnosed with acute leukemia in November of 2019. He underwent chemotherapy for the following year at Foothills Tom Baker Center in Calgary. During this year he was greatly blessed; two of his grandsons married their own sweethearts and Kayla and Desiree joined the family. Adam & Desiree also granted him with his great granddaughter, Harper Lynn and he was thrilled to see her stand all by herself for the first time right before him.
Wayne has always had strong bonds with any child who entered his life. This special relationship was also shared with his great nephews and niece; Mason, Logan, and Ryleigh.
Wayne was an active outdoorsman, and loved nothing better than to share it with family! This included camping in the west country, picking wild berries, fishing, hunting, riding ATV's, and generally enjoying nature. Many a drive included looking for the wild horses. And at the end of the day relaxing with a good western book. At the center of all of this was Wayne's continued faith and love of Christ, praying that one day he will again get to see his loved ones in Heaven.
Psalm 34:18
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.