Marc C. Abrahms A Man of Creative Means

In many ways, Marc C. Abrahms has led a charmed life. Although an insulin-dependent diabetic since age five, he is an exceptionally successful businessman, a dedicated philanthropist, a devoted father, a world traveler and a professional photographer.

Marc, a West Hartford native, is President and Chairman of the Abrahms Corporation. Prior to being acquired by Brown & Brown (BRO-NYSE), the eigth largest insurance broker in the country, Abrahms was one of the largest employee benefit insurance agencies in New England. Marc is now Chairman of the Board of Brown & Brown of Connecticut. Marc has also donated many hours and a great deal of money to numerous not-for-profits that have touched his heart and impressed him intellectually. These fortunate institutions include Clark University (his alma mater), the Hebrew Home and Hospital in West Hartford, The George Washington University, Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, The University of Hartford, and the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford. More recently, Hartford Hospital and the United Cerebral Palsy of New York have been recipients of his generosity.

Marc's service to others began early. The youngest Trustee in Clark University's history, he joined the Board of the Hebrew Home and Hospital when he was only 22. Related to this experience, he has the rare distinction of having a boulevard named for him (as well as his father): Abrahms Boulevard, which leads from Bloomfield Avenue to the Hebrew Home. Marc was introduced to the Hebrew Home and to philanthropy by his father, who invited him to attend a Board meeting. Marc was smitten. He quickly was asked to serve on the Home's Board and Executive Committee. At the age of 36, Marc became Chairman of the Board of the Hebrew Home, becoming the youngest chairman in the Home's history. In the mid-1980's, Marc served as Co-Chair of its Capital Campaign that helped raise the money to construct a new facility in West Hartford. This campaign aimed to raise $5 million over three years. With Marc's assistance, $9.3 million was raised.

While not conventionally religious, Marc adheres strongly to the Jewish precept of "Tsedakah." Often translated as "charity," Marc defines this word as "World improvement: an investment, though not necessarily a financial one, in a world beyond oneself and a commitment to give in whatever way one is capable for this purpose." Marc is truly passionate about the causes he selects and, in keeping with his pronounced creative bent, has chosen a variety of somewhat unusual methods to facilitate his philanthropy.

Marc has made Hartford Hospital a beneficiary of his retirement plan. He notes that this is a "wonderful vehicle for giving" as such benefits are otherwise taxed twice. He emphasizes, though, that this gift was made for emotional reasons, not financial ones.

This significant planned gift is made in honor of Dr. Neil J. Grey. Marc notes that it was not so long ago that a person with juvenile diabetes, onset at age five, had a life expectancy of 28 years. Now 53 and going strong, Marc (despite himself as he puts it) has avoided the terrible multi-systemic failures (blindness, major coronary disease, loss of limbs) all too commonly associated with this debilitating illness. He gives great credit to his friend and physician Dr. Grey. Departing from his highly humorous demeanor, Marc speaks glowingly and movingly of Neil Grey, stating that he is a man of compassion and sensitivity, an "old-fashioned physician who is a true people's advocate."

Marc remembers the serendipitous circumstances under which they met. Marc was 23 years old. He was in his Farmington Avenue apartment when he heard the screech of brakes and a loud crash. He ran downstairs to see if he could help but Dr. Grey was already assisting one of the crash victims. Later, after the ambulance arrived, Marc asked about liability exposure. Dr. Grey responded that he was certainly aware of this risk but a human being needed help. Consciously weighing his choices, he made the clear decision to help. Right after this encounter, Marc asked Dr. Grey to be his doctor.

With this one gift in Dr. Grey's honor, Marc:
-- honors a wonderful and beloved doctor;
-- furthers his own estate plan, through which he hopes to continue benefitting the world, including his "unborn grandchildren;"
-- improves the lives of patients suffering from diabetes (as the gift is restricted to Diabetes LifeCare);
-- contributes toward the Hospital's reaching an ancillary goal of the 150th Anniversary Campaign: $5 million in bequest intentions.

We are very grateful to Marc C. Abrahms for his generosity, support and ingenious gift. Hartford Hospital, its paients and the Greater Hartford community will remember his kindness for years to come.

Bail 1995, Four Boats, a photograph from Marc's book, "Water Colors." All royalties will go to United Cerebral of New York to raise money for the housing, medical, dental and technical needs of people with cerebral palsy
-- another example of Marc's originality in giving.

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