Dover to dedicate football field to longtime Town Justice

DOVER PLAINS — The Dover Union Free School District Board of Education has approved naming the Dover High School football stadium in honor of longtime Town Justice Redmond “Renny” Abrams, recognizing decades of service to the community and support for the school’s athletic programs.

The board passed a resolution last month naming the campus football stadium in honor of Abrams.

Redmond Wren “Renny” Abrams served as the Town Justice in Dover Plains for 36 years and operated Renny’s Store & Deli for over 54 years with his family. He was a graduate of Dover High School and a member of the school board. Abrams passed away April 8, 2026, and since then, members of the community have reached out to the DUFSD concerning the best ways to honor him.

The commemorative signage will be funded by the Dover community.

Christian Jones, head coach of the Dover High School football team, has worked with John Hammond, assistant coach, to organize funds and bring this project to fruition.

Jones and Hammond reached out to Abrams’ family and, once getting its approval, presented the resolution to the DUFSD superintendent, David Fine. After gaining support from Town Supervisor Richard Yeno and a two-month hearing process with the school board, the resolution was approved at the board’s June 9 meeting.

Yeno was asked to speak at the board meeting on Jones and Hammond’s behalf about how Abrams contributed to the Dover community. He spoke about Abrams’ dedication to Dover athletics, both for the town’s recreational department and the school programs.

“He’s been there since he was a student himself, and people see that. I’ve seen that. I grew up around Judge Abrams, I graduated with one of his sons, and he was just always there,” Yeno said. The Dover Athletics Department and Football program have long been supported by Abrams, who played football, basketball and baseball in his high school career.

Jones said they are hoping to unveil the dedication at Dover’s annual salute to service football game on Sept. 3 with the family in attendance, including Abrams’ grandson, who is a quarterback and linebacker on the team. He said this is not only for those involved in the football program, but it is for the community to remember Abrams’ influence.

“There is a huge, significant impact of what Judge Renny Abrams had on all of our lives growing up as kids in the Dover community and players,” Jones said. “The amount of support and funding that he’s given through his store, his life and his career is just a tremendous legacy.”