December 17, 1938 – June 3, 2024
at the age of 85 years:
Celebration of Life
July 29, 2024, 1pm, Shuswap Community Church, 3151 6 Ave NE, Salmon Arm, BC
In Loving Memory of Abram (Abe) Zacharias
On June 3, 2024, at the age of 85, with his loving wife at his side, Abe went to his Heavenly Mansion “to meet the King of Kings and Lord of Lords” (his recent words) whom he sung about for many years.
Abe was born in Hague, Saskatchewan to William and Anna Zacharias, the middle child of 11. When still a young boy, his family moved to southern Alberta. As a teenager he gave his life to Christ and went on to attend Bible College in Alberta for 3 years. He then moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba to find a job, and soon met the love of his life, Margaret (Marg) Groening at a church youth wiener roast. After courting for a year and a half, Abe and Marg were married in November of 1962. Soon after, he enrolled in trade school where he completed his welding certification where he went onto to make welding his career for many years. A few years later, they moved to Calgary where Abe continued to work as a welder, started his own business in Ornamental Iron and worked with his welding Rig. Abe and Marg then moved their family to Golden, BC to escape the busy city life to enjoy country living. Abe continued with his welding business for many years and later worked for CP Rail as a railway track patrolman.
Abe was raised in a very musical family where he learned the gift of singing and harmonizing. His brother Bill taught him a few chords on guitar that inspired his lifelong love of music and singing. In 1992, after moving to Salmon Arm, BC, he retired from his first career as a welder and began his second career in full time music ministry. He travelled with his wife across Western Canada and parts of the United States, playing many church concerts, country gospel festivals and various other venues. He recorded many albums, mostly his own compositions and collaborated with other musicians and singers along the way. He was honoured to sing one of his own songs on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, with their band in accompaniment. Abe was nominated several times by the Country Gospel Music Association, for Song Writer of the Year, and won several awards. Then also for the Male Vocalist of the Year and won awards with the top honor of Male Vocalist for Canada & the United States in Knoxville, Tennessee in 1997. He also won Group of the Year with Kathy Froese and Lyn Sandi and enjoyed singing in the group “Sons of the Sage” with Duane Stewart and Gerry Pelland.
His hobbies were mostly his music, reading, going for walks and hiking. In is earlier years, he enjoyed hunting and fishing, however, most importantly was spending quality time with his family. His infectious smile and witty sense of humor warmed the hearts of his beloved family and friends.
He will be greatly missed by his wife, Marg, of 61 years. Also, his four much loved children, Angela (Larry), Kevin, Laurel (Chris), and Trevor as well as his precious grandchildren Keith (Corrie), Collin, Alajiah (Riley), Joshua, Janayah, and his special great grandsons Liam and Dominic. His last wish was for all his family to meet him in Heaven.
He was predeceased by his parents William and Anna, his brothers Bill and Tony and his sisters Helen and Kay. He will be dearly missed by his surviving brothers John and Dave and his sisters Anne, Marie, Betty and Eve.
The family would like to extend our thanks to Dr. Dirk Breugem for his care and to the medical staff at the Shuswap Lake General Hospital in Salmon Arm for their support and care in the last few weeks of his long and difficult decline in health.
I have always had a very special place in my heart for Uncle Abe. His loving demeanor, his music, his Godly presence always struck a chord in me.My condolences to Aunt Marge and all the cousins, as well as all the family. I would love to be at the memorial, but just recovering from surgery. He will be missed, but is in the best place he could be! Love to all!
our sincere condolences to Marge and family , we didn’t know Abe very well, but enjoyed his singing and talking to him on occassion in the neighbourhood.
My heartfelt condolences to Marge and all Abe loved ones. I meet Abe through the Cowboy Festival in Kamloops. Over the years he spread the word of God in his music, words and ways. But I will always remember his beautiful rendition of “Cool, Clear Water”. May you find peace and solace knowing that Abe is resting in Paradise with all who knew and loved him. God needed another beautiful voice in his celestial choir.
Marg and family….I just learned of Abe’s passing and I want to send my deepest condolences to you and family. Abe was a kind and compassionate man and very encouraging to me when I started writing songs….he was the first singer to create melodies for my songs and I’ll always be grateful for that….I still remember your stay at my home when he recorded our songs at a local studio….big hugs go out to you Marg…
I am sorry to hear of Abe’s passing ..
Marge I am sending you a big HUG for comfort .
Tjac and Abe had a good session or two and now both are in the Angel band with so many others .
You were such a character in a good way! You made me laugh and blush. I have thought of you often. RIP Abe and be assigned to be a guardian angel!
Dear Abe so sorry to see you go to your final reward and so happy to have known you. Love and condolences to all that will miss this special man.
My brother Abe was the kindest, most supportive and loving big brother to me. Memories flood back to me of his big breakthrough onto the public singing stage as the “local Elvis”, singing “Beepopaloola” for a TV audience in Lethbridge, gaining instant recognition for his dulcet tones and natural performing flair. He went on to become a much beloved singer, songwriter and performer, and true to his calling, he gained popularity with both christian and secular music lovers. I loved singing with him when the opportunities arose.
Abe was a gentleman, kind and authentic all throughout his life. Words fail me as I try to express just how much respect and love I had for Abe. Seeing him for the last time 2 years ago, when he and I sang “Tennessee Waltz” is a memory so precious and I will hold this memory dear to my heart for always.
Abe was a living example of a fine christian man. He enriched my life and so many others with his steadfast faith and convictions, and what he wrote about in his songs he lived with truth and authenticity.
My life is so blessed to have known him and call him my brother and friend.
Your “kid sister”,
Eve
Abe and I had a very special relationship as brothers. He taught me to stand up for myself, that no matter how big the problem was, deal with it and never back down.
I have many memories of hunting ducks and pheasants, working the fields, especially working together on an ancient threshing machine. His love of the Lord and singing praises to his saviour was unwavering. His many self composed songs and recordings is a legacy that was and will be treasured by many. Abe’s gentle and numerous ways will be greatly missed. I will always recall our last session in his little studio in Salmon Arm, singing every song that came to mind.
You will be missed big brother, in so many ways by so many people.
Until we meet again, keep singing big bro!
It is a GREAT loss to not have Abe singing at the events I was asked to host. I will live with the memories I had working together for a few years. Abe was always a lot of fun to be around and I will miss his humour!
Our deepest condolences to Marge and her family in these hard times.
Rest in peace my brother!
Love ya!!!
Dear Marge and family,
We offer our deepest heartfelt condolences to all of you. Your dearest is no longer with you but he is singing in glory with a perfect voice! No more will he have to clear his throat.
The songs he wrote came from deep convictions and faith in Jesus Christ!
We have enjoyed his singing together with picking that guitar for many years even as we listen to his albums.
Marge, you and Abe have been dear friends since back to about 1960! I’ll never forget either, how Abe and Johnny conversed in “pig Latin”. It was only to bad we lived miles apart!
However, we so much appreciated Abe singing for us at our 50th Anniversary and also the mini concert he did for us and our friends.
You are in our prayers.
Blessings, we love you!
Elma & Martin Friesen. Winnipeg, MB
Our dear brother’s voice raised up in song will be forever be my most precious memories.
Abe was one of the sweetest men I’ve ever known! We are fortunate to have had such a caring man as our brother!
My thoughts and prayers are with Marge, her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren as they begin their time of grief and loss. Abe’s passing will have left a very large hole in their lives.
May his unwavering love for you all hold you up and help you to heal!
Love you, Abe!
Go rest high up on that mountain!
Your sister, Betty
The brothers, my uncles were all so magical in my mind and heart as they sang with the sisters, my Aunties soaring harmonies, melodies and lifted our spirits to join in wondrous songs of faith and love beyond reason in and through Jesus Christ. At the center was my uncle Abe. As if breathing took more thought he would lead songs of devotion and sincerity as I looked on and studied every moment of the great man. The heart of the gatherings. Showing that love was bigger messier yet far more important and powerful than all else. God is Love. Abe loves God. We all love Abe.
Our condolences to Marg and family.
We will miss him and his singing.
Larry and Sonia Nedelko- Ganert
Auntie Marge, Angela, Laurel, Kevin, Trevor,
Praying for comfort for you all. I have so many wonderful memories of Uncle Abe.
Love you all,
Gail (Friesen) Jones
How shocking to hear of Abe’s passing. He and I had numerous opportunities through the years to share stages but it was my special joy to spend a couple of years (2006-07) with him and the late Gerry Pelland as part of The Sons of the Sage trio. To my mind, Abe’s vocal ability to interpret classic western songs was unparalleled, but more importantly, the strength of his Christian faith shone brightly through in his country-gospel singing.
My wife Lyn and I offer our deepest sympathies to Marg, to the Zacharias family, to all those musicians who knew him or worked with him, and to the countless numbers of friends and fans Abe acquired through his music ministry.
My fondest memory of Abe goes back to the 1990s when he picked me up hitchhiking near Golden BC. Although I was already a believer he kindly shared the gospel with me and as I was going through some tough times it was greatly appreciated.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVeJvGft5DI
I’m sorry to learn of Abe’s passing. I have good memories of listening to his wonderful voice, and visiting with you at Kamloops cowboy poetry weekends. God give you comfort as you adjust to the changes this brings you
I’m so sorry to hear this Marge always loved visiting you and Abe . God be with you in this time of sorrow . Mark and Anna
Dear Aunt Marge and family, may the Lord bless you with the comfort and peace that only He can give, as you treasure the precious memories of Uncle Abe. With love and prayers, Harold & Lillian
Marge & Family,
Sorry to hear of Abe’s passing. (Henry Derksen called yesterday). We know we’re all of that age where we’re quickly losing friends & relatives but no matter what their age it’s hard to see them suffer & then leave us. Praying for God’s peace & comfort at this time.
Jake & Edna Derksen