Aaron Abraham Abud

Aaron Abraham Abud passed away on September 4, 2010 at the age of 18 in Miami, FL after a tragic accident while helping needy children in the Dominican Republic.

He graduated from Liberty High School Class of 2010 this spring and decided to go and study Spanish in the Dominican Republic and volunteer his time at the Foundation Mahatma Gandhi in Las Terrenas. He loved animals, was a photographer, composed and played music, wrote poetry, was engaged by culture, politics, and was dedicated to human rights and the life of the mind. He documented his experiences with photography revealing the conditions and the overwhelming struggle of most Dominican youth.

His was a voluntary group effort of the Fundacin Mahatma Gandhi, a nonprofit Dominican organization.

During Aaron's short-time with us, he has touched many peoples' lives with his kindness and awareness of those less fortunate. He will continue to live on in our hearts and minds because of his free spirit, genuine dedication to nature and human beings.

He is survived by his mother and father, Susan J. Sharkan - Abud and Jos A Abud; his sisters, Ariana Abud-Johnsen and husband David M. Johnsen, and Sophia Abud; his many uncles and aunts: William G. Sharkan, Joseph W. Sharkan, Ruben D Abud, Gretchen Abud, Amelia Abud, Bienvenido Almanzar, Wilfredo Almanzar; his grandmothers, Mercedes A. Perez and Marcella C. Sharkan, many cousins and his dogs Cleo and Marley.

The family will receive friends at Connell Funeral Home, 245 E. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018 on Thursday, September 9, 2010 from 6-9 p.m. and Friday, from 9-10 a.m. A ceremony to celebrate Aaron's life will be held Friday, September 10, 2010 at 10 a.m. in the funeral home.

Please send all contributions to Fundacin Mahatma Gandhi Calle Salom Urea #8 Las Terrenas Provincia de Saman Rep&uacuteblica Dominicana, http://fundacionmahatmagandhi.com