Lifelong Amherst resident, Charles E. Abramson, passed peacefully at his home on September 17, 2017.  Born in Northampton, MA on November 20, 1927 to the late Emil and Charlotte (Ericksson) Abramson.  Charlie devoted his life to family, community service, and the development of youth through education and athletic participation.  He possessed a generosity of spirit; quiet, unassuming nature; dedication to community and strong faith that guided his personal and professional endeavors.  Upon graduation from Amherst High School in 1945 Charlie proudly served in the United States Navy.  His service took him throughout the South Pacific.  Charlie graduated from Springfield College in 1953 and later received a Master of Education Degree from UMass Amherst.   He began his teaching career at The Horace Mann School in New York City. He then taught physical education at Goffstown High School in Goffstown, New Hampshire before returning to Amherst where he worked for 33 years in the Amherst School System.  During that time Charlie served as physical education instructor, department chair, varsity baseball coach, varsity football coach, and Athletic Director. He was the first AD in the Amherst School System. Among his proudest accomplishments as Athletic Director was the expansion of sports programs for girls and the creation of Alternative Learning Programs to allow students to fulfill their physical education requirement in a non-traditional manner. While Charlie’s teams realized outstanding winning percentages; he emphasized sportsmanship and respect over victories.   He was always considered the ultimate gentleman among coaching peers, game officials, family and friends and truly led by example.  Charlie spent numerous summers working for the Amherst Recreation Department coaching youth baseball and teaching tennis. This was in keeping with his valuing mentorship and providing a positive role model to young people in Amherst.  Never one to seek the spotlight, Charlie nonetheless received numerous awards and recognition for his accomplishments including: Athletic Director of the year multiple times; induction into the Massachusetts Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame; High School Baseball Umpires Association Sportsmanship Award, induction into the first class of the Amherst Regional High School Athletic High School Hall of Fame, and the Robert Frost teaching chair. Charlie’s love of baseball led him to become a lifelong St. Cardinals fan as well as an area scout for the Montreal Expos, Kansas City Athletics, and Seattle Pilots organizations.  In addition to his parents Charlie was pre-deceased by his beloved wife of 54 years, Mary (Garvey) Abramson, a sister Doris Abramson, and a son Robert James who died at birth.  Charlie will be dearly missed by his children Catherine Canales and partner Francis Twardowski of Savoy; son Charles G. Abramson of Sunderland; son Michael Abramson and wife Valerie of Deerfield; grandchildren Erik Abramson of Worcester and Kelsey Abramson of Deerfield. He is also survived by brother-in-law Robert Garvey and wife Jane of Charlestown, MA; sister-in-law Helen Cadigan of Holyoke as well as several nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank the staff and caregivers of Collective Home Care and Cooley Dickinson VNA and Hospice for their assistance. The family also wishes to express their sincere gratitude to Dr. Paul Baecher for the extraordinary compassionate, care he provided Charlie. In lieu of flowers donations in Charlie’s memory can be made to the Jimmy Fund or Cooley Dickinson VNA and Hospice 168 Industrial Dr. Northampton, MA 01060. Calling hours will be Wednesday September 20, 2017 from 4 – 7 pm at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst. A  Mass of Christian burial will be Thursday the 21^st at 11:30 am at St. Brigid’s Church, Amherst with burial following in St. Brigid’s Cemetery, Hadley.