Abram "Abe" Yarger's Obituary
Abram L. Yarger “Abe” Abe was 92 years old when he passed away peacefully at home in Seminole, Florida, on December 4, 2022. His children, Laura and Charlie were with him. In the prior weeks, he had been visited by many family members. Family was everything to Abe as he was to them. Abe was predeceased by his beloved wife, Laura M. Hannon Yarger “Mae” and his son, John R. and his son-in-law, Edward Petitt. Also predeceased by his eight siblings and their spouses; Mary Barkley, Charles Yarger, George Kay, Eleanor Marvin, Dora Lindner, Gertrude Smith, Donald Yarger and Paul Yarger. He is survived by his daughter, Laura A. Yarger Petitt and her children, Jesse, Jeffrey, Jaime (Michael) Regas, Josh, Jodi (Mike) Varela and Laura J. Also survived by his son, Charles L. (Beth) Yarger and his children, Christopher (Cherilyn) Yarger, Carly (Jim) Jordan and Corey (Lorena)Yarger. Abe’s many great-grandchildren include Dominic Pinckley, Emily (Dillon) Rose, Dillon Yarger, Ashley (Michael) Costello, Nathan Yarger, Raelyn Petitt, Logan Regas, Elijah Crosby, Jacob Petitt, Layla Yarger, Tucker Regas, Parker Jordan, Corey Yarger Jr, Evelyn Varela, Gabriel Varela, Anthony Petitt. And great-great granddaughter, Nathalia Rose. Abe’s extended family includes numerous nephews, nieces and cousins throughout the United States and Canada. He kept in touch with these family members over the years by phone and visits. Abe was born October 2, 1930 in Canandaigua, NY and grew up on a farm in Cheshire, NY, a small town in the Finger Lakes region. He joined the Navy in December, 1950, during the Korean War, and was stationed mainly on the USS C P Cecil until his honorable discharge in October, 1954. He made at least two trips to the Mediterranean region and after his first trip, was home on leave when he visited shopkeeper, CP Violas, who had heard about his travels. CP asked him to deliver a letter to his brother in Greece if he was able to go again. Abe did get to Greece again and was able to connect with CP’s family and deliver the letter! The family invited Abe and a shipmate to Sunday dinner which he said was a feast. Abe and his brothers were members of the Veteran’s organization in Cheshire and spent many nights frying French fries at the local Fireman’s Carnivals to raise funds for the Veteran’s group. He also was a volunteer firefighter for several years with the Seminole Park Volunteer Fire Department on Starkey Road, now part of the Seminole Fire Department. Even as a child he disliked cold weather and when a buddy invited him to go to Florida for work, he was eager to go. He soon met the love of his life and future wife, Laura “Mae” Hannon and became a Florida transplant. They were married in May, 1956 and had 48 years together before she passed away in September, 2004. Abe mainly worked in tile and marble installation. He owned Abe and Jerry Tile for many years, then joined Quality Marble and continued to work there alongside his son, Charlie for many more years before retiring. After retirement, he worked part-time for Enterprise Car Rental shuttling cars to different locations around Florida and even out of state. It was the perfect job as he loved to travel and had a keen sense of direction. Abe travelled extensively between Florida and New York for many family reunions and some Christmas vacations after moving to Florida. Often there were stops on the way up or back to visit family or friends in states along the east coast and side trips to Ohio, Maine and even Boston. Many New York trips included one or two grandchildren who cherish their special time with grandpa and grandma. He was especially happy to have driven out west to California visiting many stops along the way with his wife and long time family friend Lori Staffeld. Another favorite trip was to Disney World in 1972 with his family(5), the entire Paul Yarger family (13) except baby Brenda (who stayed behind with Bea and Bud Mitchell) and neighborhood kids Dana Mitchell and Bobby Hudson. Everyone camped at Fort Wilderness and enjoyed themselves. There were many other family trips around Florida to go strawberry and tomato picking, camping and hunting and visiting many of the old style Florida attractions. As his brothers and sisters began to retire and some became snowbirds, Abe decided to start a secondary Yarger family reunion in Florida during the winter months. The 39th Annual Reunion will be held March 25, 2023 and Abe will be sorely missed. Memorial Gathering and Celebration of Life Service at Memorial Park Funeral Home on Saturday January 7, 2023 from 2:00PM-4:00PM. Inurnment will be private at Bay Pines National Cemetery. An additional Celebration of Life will be held in New York in February, 2023. In lieu of flowers, donations to Suncoast Hospice, 5771 Roosevelt Boulevard, Clearwater, Florida 33760 will be greatly appreciated.
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