Cyril Abramson VANCOUVER, BC - Cyril Abramson passed away peacefully at UBC Vancouver Hospital on February 7, 2003. Born in 1916 in Moose Jaw, Cyril began his career as a signal operator with the CNR. He served as sergeant with the Canadian Army Signal Corps from 1940-1945. His last 33 career years were spent as Secretary Manager of the Moncton Branch #6 Legion on Botsford St., where he hosted many community organizations, obtained the Meritorious Service Medal and initiated the building of war veterans housing. This prompted his adamant refusal to move into seniors care housing in Vancouver noting, "I refuse to move anywhere that you can't play poker for money". A newspaper article once noted that Cyril was a modest man whose knowledge of and compassion for his fellow man were unique. Cyril was constantly and quietly helping many local residents from the Moncton Chief of Police, to the sideshow worker in Bill Lynch Shows, to students who needed support for sports or university, to Coalpile Eddie. He was a founding officer in the long-running Maritime Sports Draw which supported several good charitable works. Cyril's first loves were his family, baseball, horse racing and poker, all of which he pursued with a passion. He was the Chief Electoral Officer for Federal and Provincial Elections, served many roles with the Moncton Kinsmen and Keith Lodge Masons and was a Federal Civil Defense official helping with many search and rescue operations, including the Springhill Mine Disaster. Cyril was much loved and will be sadly missed by his children and their families, Brian, Jean and Tara (Toronto), Sherry, former husband, Reg, and Matt and Bill (Vancouver), Bill (Vancouver) and Steve (Toronto); his sisters, Phyllis and Edith; and many nieces and nephews. Many thanks to long time care workers, Emma and Eden, and heartfelt appreciation to the staff at UBC for their compassion, especially Daisy, Glen, Brenda and Evil. Cyril had requested no service but a plaque will be placed beside one for his wife, Eleanor, on a memorial bench behind UBC Hospital. If you wish to honor his passing the family asks that you continue his spirit by doing an act of kindness for someone.