Avraham (Rami) Katzir was born on November 2, 1944, in Hadera, the son of Kalman and Hanka (Hanna) Katzenellenbogen and the younger brother of Yigal.
Rami was an active member of the Hashomer Hatza’ir youth movement and arrived at Kibbutz Nir Oz as part of the Gar’in Tzabar group. He worked as a mechanic and was an expert in repairing agricultural machinery. Classical music was always playing in his work area at the Nir Oz garage. Rami married Hana Sela, who was born in Kibbutz Ein Carmel. Together, they raised their family in Nir Oz and had three children, Avital, Elad and Carmit.
Rami deeply loved kibbutz life. He was a hardworking, pleasant and welcoming man, who loved his friends and family very much and took great care to foster ties with his extended family.
Rami was also a loving and beloved grandfather to six grandchildren. He loved playing chess and checkers with them, laughing and sharing ice cream. He enjoyed riding his bicycle around the kibbutz, and in recent years, also began painting.
Rami was a curious, self-taught man. He taught himself computer skills, and after retiring, began working in the kibbutz archive. His last project was transferring the guards’ notebooks from the children’s houses into digital format.
Rami was murdered by terrorists during the attack on Nir Oz on Saturday, October 7, 2023. His wife, Hana, was abducted to Gaza, released in a hostage deal after 49 days in captivity and died a year later. His son Elad was also abducted that same day. He survived 99 days in Gaza before being murdered in captivity.
Rami was laid to rest in the soil of Nir Oz, which he loved so dearly. The following words were inscribed on his gravestone: “A loving and beloved husband, father and grandfather. His ways were the ways of pleasantness, humble and a seeker of peace. You were our whole world and will remain in our hearts forever.”
He was 79 years old at the time of his death. Hana and Elad are buried beside him.
May Rami’s memory be a blessing. We will always remember him.
