Obituary of Avram Karel
Avram (Ave) Karel, 69 of White Plains, NY died unexpectedly on Thursday, December 8, 2022 while riding his bike with cycle club friends on a beautiful sunny day. He was a gentle and loyal person with a loving spirit who often sent his family sentimental little reminders to enjoy this beautiful world and each other.
He was a steady, kind, and accepting presence for his loved ones, sharing in their joys and supporting them through hardship - a real mensch, as they say. We will miss him terribly.
Ave was born on May 25, 1953, to Mildred and Milton Karel of West Nyack, NY. He attended Clarkstown High School and went on to get a B.S. in Broadcasting and Film from Boston University.
From a young age, Ave was an avid drummer and loved making music. In college he came home many weekends to play gigs, and he turned that love into Avenue K Orchestra,
where he was a bandleader and musician for more than 20 years.
Later, he became Operating Manager of the family business KC Properties, managing apartment buildings in NJ.
Ave discovered his love for cycling with the Westchester Cycling Club, and for 15 years reveled in the company of “his people” while riding all over Westchester county, New England, and Europe. He often came home from a ride, exclaiming, “Wow, that was a great day!!”
Ave loved working on his bike while blasting 60’s rock music at full-volume, taking road trips, listening to podcasts, and spending easy time socializing with his friends and family.
As a teenager, Ave used his newly-minted driver’s license to drive himself, his sister Debbie, and her boyfriend to Woodstock - a highlight of his life. His photo and remembrance of the experience are posted in the Museum at Bethel Woods in upstate NY.
Ave was the beloved husband of Ann Chase; the loving father of Billie Karel (and husband Nick Riddle) of Raleigh NC, and Jonathan Karel of Cranston, Rhode Island; and step-father of Elliot Chase (and wife Alexis Tumolo) of Denver, CO and Evan Chase (and partner Heather Steurmer) of New Haven, CT.
He was the doting grandfather of Zenaida Riddle, Jackson Karel, and DJ and Forest Chase, and beloved brother of Gwenn Levine (and partner John Wallach) of Woodcliff Lake, NJ; Ellen Karel of West Barnstable, MA; and Deborah Karel of San Francisco, CA.
We will have a memorial service in the spring; details to follow.
Anyone wishing to make a donation could consider The Bethel Woods Center for the Arts https://www.bethelwoodscenter.org/support or the charity of their choice.
Most of all, Ave would want you to enjoy a hike or bike ride outside,
and hold your loved ones closely.
