Howard P. Abelson

Howard P. Abelson passed away peacefully on May 29, 2024 in Richmond, California. He was born in Los Angeles at the tail end of World War II, the only child of Betty Stern and Henry Abelson. He grew up in the Fairfax neighborhood of LA, surrounded by family, Jewish bakeries and delis, streetcars, and old Hollywood. After graduating from Fairfax High School, he attended Los Angeles State College and then transferred to UC Berkeley, where he was involved in student political groups and the early days of the Free Speech Movement. After earning his degree in Political Science from Berkeley, he attended Hastings Law School, living in the Haight Ashbury neighborhood during the summer of love, though that wasn’t his scene. He passed the bar exam and began his career as an assistant district attorney in the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s office. He then moved back to the Bay Area when he married his wife, Janet, and worked as a Deputy City Attorney in Oakland before going into private practice, handling mostly estate planning and landlord/tenant law, which he continued until his retirement.

Howard had a passion for trains from when he was a young child and took many long-distance rail trips and special train excursions throughout his life. He attended his first meeting of the Bay Area Electric Railway Association within days of moving to Berkeley and was a longtime volunteer and board member of the Western Railway Museum. He also loved sports and was a devoted Cal fan. Go Bears!

Dedicated to serving his community, Howard was elected to two terms on the El Cerrito City Council and served one term as mayor, as well as a stint on the BART Board of Directors. He was a longtime member of the Albany El Cerrito Exchange Club and the West County Forum. In addition to attending countless swim meets, soccer games, band concerts, dance performances and his children’s many other activities, he volunteered in the local schools, organizing fundraisers and MCing events. He loved camping and hiking and chaperoned many trips for Boy Scout Troop 104.

Howard was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Janet, and is survived by his children, Rachel (Chris), Joel (Cristina), Ruthie, Miriam (Shelley), and Sarah (Brendan), and grandchildren Sophia, Marcos, Brett, Hailey, and Isabelle, as well as cousins, including Carol (Bob) and Joan (David), niece and nephews, and many furry family members. He made friends wherever he went and will be greatly missed by family, friends, and acquaintances alike. His children will especially miss his good nature, advice, and humor.

The family will hold a private memorial. Donations in his memory can be made to the Western Railway Museum.