Vivian C. Abrahams
It is with sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Vivian Cecil Abrahams (VCA) at home in Kingston, on July 15, 2025, in his 98th year.
VCA was predeceased in 2020, by Pamela, his beloved spouse of a joyful 65 years. He was also father to Graham (Madeline), Mark (Cheryl), Caroline (Doug) and Jennifer (Jon), brother to Sylvia (d. 2004), grandfather to Max, Zea, Madeline, Hannah, Collin and Sarah, and great-grandfather to Katie Rose and Ruby May. He was a dear uncle to Adele, Melanie, Stephen, Tom, Julia, George, Christina, David, John, Neil and Kim and fond brother-in-law of Bill (d. 2021), Jim, Judy, Barbara and Sam (d. 2012), last but far from least he was a dear friend and close companion to Robin Ashcroft.
VCA was an internationally renowned scholar and scientist in the field of neurophysiology. His early years were shaped by his evacuation as a young boy from London, England, to Marlborough, England, during WW2 to live away from his parents and his family. In 1944 following his graduation from the City of London School, he enlisted in the British army shortly before the end of the war. Eventually he resumed an academic career at the University of Edinburgh, where he eventually obtained a PhD and met his future wife Pamela. In the course of pursuing an academic career and seeking a better life for their growing family they settled in Kingston in 1964 where VCA eventually rose through the academic ranks to become a full professor and Head of the Department of Physiology at Queen's University. VCA also served on many research organizations including the Medical Research Council of Canada, and the Human Frontiers Research Program. As well as being a member of the Physiological Society since 1958, he was a member and officer of a number of North American physiological and neuroscience scientific societies as well as Muscular Dystrophy Canada. VCA eventually retired from Queen's University in 1995, and with Pam, embarked on the next chapter of their life, travelling extensively with particular fondness for their annual sojourn to the Australian Sunshine Coast. They enjoyed close friends and family throughout Canada, U.K., Australia, the U.S. and many other countries and were gracious and generous hosts as well as popular visitors.
In recent years and after Pam's death, VCA continued to lead a fulfilling and independent life, remaining in his home with the support of his family, his neighbors, the wonderful caregivers of Limestone City Home Healthcare, and particularly the dedication, love, support and humour of Robin Ashcroft.
