REV. DR. C.G. ABRAHAM 

 

George Chempilathrayil Abraham, lovingly known as C.G. Abraham, was born in Elanthur, Kerala to the late Kunjamma and Chempilathrayil A. George. As the oldest of 5 children, he took on the role of a father at the tender age of 10, when his own father passed away. C.G.’s youngest brother was only 13 days old at that time. After completing high school, C.G. attended Catholicate College in Pathanamthitta, India. He attended for only a few years before moving to Secunderabad, India to enroll in the Indian Army. C.G. served various positions in the Indian army for 18 years, from 1956 to 1974,

 

retiring as a Junior Commissioned Officer Technical Instructor, teaching electronic engineering. Afterwards, he worked in a civil position for a couple of years at Electronics Corporation of India Limited. 

 

On January 27, 1966, C.G. married Saramma Mathew of Thekkekara House, Prakanam. His marriage covenant remained honored until the time of his passing. Initially, they

 

lived in Secunderbad, India, where they had their four children before emigrating to the United States in 1977. Together, they treasured 54 blessed years. In the US, C.G. worked for several telephone companies before eventually starting a 24-year career at the NYC MTA. He served there as a Supervisor beginning in 1981 and later retired in 2005, highly esteemed by all his colleagues. 

 

C.G. Abraham was exceedingly passionate about his God and his church. C.G. was one of the founding families that would eventually be the basis for the NJ Mar Thoma Church. Later, he and his family attended the St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church in NY. Lastly, C.G. was instrumental in the formation of the St. Peter’s Mar Thoma Church in Teaneck, NJ, where he remained a member until his death. He was also a great supporter of his children starting Redeemer Mar Thoma Church and delivered the opening prayer for the church’s first worship service. 

 

Finding great pleasure in glorifying God, C.G served in multiple capacities in the church. He served as Vice President, Accountant, Lay Leader, Senior Citizens Secretary, Edavaka Mission Secretary, Choir Member, Malayalam School Teacher and numerous other roles. However, his most significant position was that of Sunday School  Teacher/Headmaster. His passion for teaching the Word of God and for instructing

 

young children how to love the Lord was evident in the way he lived. Many have stated how integral C.G. was in their spiritual journey and what a privilege it was being taught by him as a child. 

 

C.G. loved his family very dearly. He had fraternal twin daughters, Shirley and Shirey, a son, Shaji, and his baby girl, Shija. He devoted his life to providing for them, teaching them about God and ensuring that they were highly educated. C.G. placed a very high emphasis on education and loved to study to expand his knowledge. Although he was unable to complete a college degree as a younger man, C.G. started pursuing a

 

Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctorate degree during his later years in 1993. He studied at an impressive pace and on April 1 1996, he obtained his Doctor of Theology degree from the International Bible College and Seminary. His educational and spiritual journey culminated in his ordination as a minister of the American Evangelical Christian Churches on July 8, 2000. 

 

C.G. went on to minister to the CSI church in Staten Island and at the pulpit in his home church and others, spreading God’s love to all who would listen. 

 

C.G. was a disciplinarian with his own children but laughed heartily at the antics of his grandchildren. An avid gardener with a bountiful vegetable garden, he would keep his family and his neighbors well stocked for a year. Playing dominoes with the church family and his grandchildren brought him great joy, the latter trying their very hardest to top his masterful skills. 

 

C.G. Abraham’s legacy is passed on through his family which he loved so dearly; his wife, Saramma; daughter Dr. Shirley, her husband Dr. James Noel and their daughter Skylar; daughter Shirey; son Shaji, his wife Sheena and their children Sarah Rachel, Caleb and Bethany; daughter Dr. Shija and her husband Richard Bodinizzo. He also leaves behind his siblings Ammakutty Baby, Aleyamma Paul, V.G. Abraham and C.K.

 

George as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. 

 

MEMORIAL PRAYER

 

Saturday, May 2, 2020, 4 – 6 PM ET 

 

Zoom Meeting Details

 

Via Web: 

 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83675067576 

 

Via Phone:

 

Find your local number:

 

https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kc0iCzTANf

 

Meeting ID: 836 7506 7576

 

 FUNERAL SERVICE & BURIAL 

 

Wednesday, May 6, 2020, 10 AM ET 

 

Livestream link: https://christiantv.us

 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in his

 

honor to St. Peter’s Mar Thoma Church

 

or the Multiple Myeloma Foundation.

 

https://www.stpetersmarthomachurch.org 

 

https://themmrf.org