Charles “Charlie” Abraham

Charles “Charlie” Abraham was an amazing husband, father, grandfather, sibling, relative, friend to many and wonderfully astute business leader. He left this world on Saturday, November 6, 2021, at the age of 86, after a lengthy battle with West Nile Virus.

Charlie was born to Najeeb and Adele Abraham on July 1, 1935 in Litchfield Park, AZ. He attended St. Francis Elementary, before he moved on to North High where he met the love of his life, Netta. He went on to attend Arizona State University to obtain his degree in Accounting. He served in the Army Reserves from 1957 to 1965 retiring as a Captain. He attended Stanford Law, for a short period of time, but soon returned to Arizona to enter the food industry. In 1960 he joined the Basha family running their Govway Discount stores. In 1964, Charlie and Netta were married and later had their 2 children: Michael and Mea. Charlie worked tirelessly to help the company grow over the 42 years he was with them. In 2002 he decided to retire from Bashas’ as the Senior VP of Marketing and Merchandising in order to answer a higher calling, to become a full-time “Papa” to the first of his grandsons.

Charlie loved his family more than anything and he dedicated his time completely to them. He loved nothing more than planning and cooking a family dinner and sitting around the table surrounded by his family. Charlie also loved to travel and over the years went on some amazing trips with his family to places all over the globe. Although Charlie worked vigorously, he always made it a point to have dinner with his family 6 nights out of the week, every week. He understood the importance of his family to him and he made sure to reflect that care in the way he nurtured them.

Charlie will be remembered by his peers for his kindness, generosity, loyalty and always being a gentleman above all else. His kindness will be remembered in the opportunities and advice he gave to others, many of whom still continue to work with Bashas’ and the Arizona food industry. His generosity for the community was boundless, giving all that he had to offer to the community he so loved. He was always loyal to Bashas’ and dutifully served the company for almost five decades. Charlie always held himself to the highest standards, never shirking his responsibilities to others and treating all he encountered in a polite, yet friendly manner. His family will remember him as he was, a family man and beloved patriarch of the Abraham family. He was a man who through great effort raised a strong family to whom he imparted his greatest qualities. His family will remember the wisdom of his lessons and try to live up to the legacy he leaves behind.

Charlie is survived by his wife of 57 years, Netta; his son, Michael; his daughter, Mea, and her husband, Tracy Lodmell; his 2 grandsons, Spencer and Tyler (his pride and joy); his nephew, Brewer (Rebecca) Johnson, who he considered one of his own; his brothers, Emil Abraham and Ed (Helene) Abraham, his sister, Kathy (Ken) Evans, and countless nephews, nieces and cousins.

The Funeral and Celebration of his amazing life will be held on Wednesday, November 17, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Theresa Catholic Church at 5045 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ 85018.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that all donations be made to a charity dear to our hearts, the University of Arizona Foundation/University of Arizona Cancer Center to support Lymphoma research, and mail to 1515 N. Campbell Ave., P.O. Box 245024 Tucson, AZ, 85724-5018.