Albert (Al) Abend (77) died peacefully at home in the West End of Hartford on May 12th. The oldest of 4, he was born in Brooklyn NY to Edward and Doris Abend, and moved to the West End with his wife Mollie in 1982. A loyal and generous friend, he shared stories of growing up, attending Emerson College in Boston, working as a councelor on Rikers Island and later as head of communications at Aetna, as well as doing important work in Washington DC. He played drums in a garage band and hosted a weekly poker game (even though he didn’t often win) that ran for almost 30 years. He also had a passion for magic and would entertain many younger family members. He will be missed by his many friends, his wife of 42 years Mollie, his brother Howard and wife Beth, his brother Richard and wife Cheryl, and his sister Carole, as well as extended family.