Ray Abrams Passed Away

12squared

12squared

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I just received a phone call from my Dad who lives in the Detroit area saying Ray Abrams passed away. The funeral was today. I do not know any more details. Just thought since Ray put on so many nice tournaments in the 70's there would be people out there that would be interested.

Ray owned 3 Cushion & Cues in the Detroit area in the 70's and was a co-founder (I think) of the Billiard News.

The room in Oak Park (1/2 mile from the Rack) had 6-6x12 snooker tables; 8-3 cushion tables; 2 5x10 snooker tables; and 14 9' Gandy pool tables. This is were I learned pool and 3C. He put on a great 3C tournament once a years that had 36 of the best of the midwest plus sometimes Jimmy Catrano; Boston Shorty; Paul Melnichuk; Allen Gilbert; Frank Torrez and more. Bob Ameen was the best player from that room but there were many good players that played out of there.

The room in Livonia is where he held a great 14:1 pro tournament every year that brought everybody; Sigel; Martin; Crane; Wimpy; Balukas; Rempe; Mataya; Buteras; many, many more. I did whatever I could to get close to the players including keep score.

Ray sold the rooms and opened "Snookers" which is still going, mostly catering to the bar crowd and not so much the players.

Thanks,

Dave
 
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Very sorry to hear the news. I never met the man but anyone that promoted
the game like he did has my deepest respect. There aren't enough like him anymore.

Prayers for his family and friends.

Please let DD know.
 
Ray Abrams

Well I guess an era has ended.I knew Ray from the begining he opened cushion and cue.He bought it from Gil Elias who then opened "The Rack" on capitol.Ray wasn't the easiest guy in the world to like but his late wife Shirley was a doll and pretty much was the front person before David and a few others became counter men.later on after Shirley died and Ray sold Cushion and Cue I would bump into him at social gatherings or resturants.I would always say hi and then he would respond.He put on some great tournements especially 3C were I saw some of the best in the world play.The room was at the time the biggest 3c room in the midwest and their were plenty of locals who were well above the average in part due to Bob Ameen as well as some of the older guys willing to show you the game.But no matter what you played their was always a game going on.
Rest in Peace Ray
 
3kushn said:
Very sorry to hear the news. I never met the man but anyone that promoted
the game like he did has my deepest respect. There aren't enough like him anymore.

Prayers for his family and friends.

Please let DD know.
Click to expand...

Thanks. DD now knows.

Dave
 
I have very fond memories of Ray. I lived in Livonia and the Cushion and Cue is where I lost my pool virginity. I greatly enjoyed the straight pool tournaments there. I had the privilege of seeing many great players such as Steve Mizerak, Irving Crane, Cicero Murphy, and many others.

I moved away from Detroit in 1981. I went back in 1990 for a High School class reunion. I went to the Cushion and Cue and was very surprised to see Ray at the counter. Then I was shocked - he remembered me and even knew my name. That really impressed me.

My condolences to the Abrams family. Ray Abrams will be missed and remembered.
 
That is sad to hear. I spent my youth at Cushion and Cue on Kelly rd. I played my first tournment there. I knew Ray and his son for many years. Ray was always nice to me. He let me into the pool hall at night even though I was only 13 years old at the time. My father even did commercials for them back in the late 80's and early 90's.

My prayers our with the family.

R.I.P Ray
 
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