DETROIT - Russell Washington Abbott, 87, formerly of Hartland, passed away peacefully Nov. 12, 2013, surrounded by his family at the home of his grandson and granddaughter-in- law, Donald and Melody Holmes, who lovingly cared for him during the last month of his life. Russell was born Feb. 22, 1926, in Winslow, the son of Fred Otis and Myrtle Simpson Abbott. Russ was the last living of 12 children.
Russell was married for 47 years to Gloria Vonnie Lasselle, who predeceased him in 1998. Together they raised their two children, Joel and Bonnie, in Pittsfield. In later years, Russell was fortunate to find companionship and to make a home with Jennie Roberts in Hartland.
Russell was employed for many years, first by JR Cianchette and then for Cianbro Corp, advancing from body man to yard foreman. He retired in 1985. Upon retiring, he and Gloria spent many years splitting their time between Eustis, Florida and Bar Harbor.
As a young man, Russ was one of the original six drivers to start racing at Unity Raceway when it was a flat dirt track. While he was a winner of many of those races, his greater enjoyment came from telling the stories of both winning and losing with that tight-knit group.
Russ was always known as the life of the party, whether it be a story, a joke, upside-down teeth or funny glasses. Russ loved to be in the center of things. He loved the outdoors, his family and his friends. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, camper and snowmobiler. He was always up for a good game of horseshoes. He was truly an unforgettable character.
He was a member of Peltoma Fish and Game, as well as the Pittsfield Elks Lodge for many years. He was a founding member of the Driftbusters Snowmobile Club.
Russ was predeceased by his wife, Gloria; companion Jennie Roberts; brothers George, Fred, Harold, Arthur, Merton, Arnold and Reginald; and sisters Lorena Grard, Maxine Burke Glascock, Charlene Dixon and Minna Pachowsky.
He is survived by his two children, Joel R. Abbott Sr., and wife Reita, of Palmyra, and Bonnie Abbott, of Bedford Hills, N.Y.; grandchildren Joel R. Abbott II, of Colorado, Jerrod R. Abbott and wife Christy, of Leesburg, Fla,, Tracy Gillis Walker and husband Edric, of Norwalk, Conn., Donald and wife Melody, of Detroit, and Michelle Holmes of Waterville; as well as seven great grandchildren.
Russell will be placed next to his wife at Village Cemetery, Peltoma Avenue, Pittsfield. (Morning Sentinel 11/14/2013)
Russell was married for 47 years to Gloria Vonnie Lasselle, who predeceased him in 1998. Together they raised their two children, Joel and Bonnie, in Pittsfield. In later years, Russell was fortunate to find companionship and to make a home with Jennie Roberts in Hartland.
Russell was employed for many years, first by JR Cianchette and then for Cianbro Corp, advancing from body man to yard foreman. He retired in 1985. Upon retiring, he and Gloria spent many years splitting their time between Eustis, Florida and Bar Harbor.
As a young man, Russ was one of the original six drivers to start racing at Unity Raceway when it was a flat dirt track. While he was a winner of many of those races, his greater enjoyment came from telling the stories of both winning and losing with that tight-knit group.
Russ was always known as the life of the party, whether it be a story, a joke, upside-down teeth or funny glasses. Russ loved to be in the center of things. He loved the outdoors, his family and his friends. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, camper and snowmobiler. He was always up for a good game of horseshoes. He was truly an unforgettable character.
He was a member of Peltoma Fish and Game, as well as the Pittsfield Elks Lodge for many years. He was a founding member of the Driftbusters Snowmobile Club.
Russ was predeceased by his wife, Gloria; companion Jennie Roberts; brothers George, Fred, Harold, Arthur, Merton, Arnold and Reginald; and sisters Lorena Grard, Maxine Burke Glascock, Charlene Dixon and Minna Pachowsky.
He is survived by his two children, Joel R. Abbott Sr., and wife Reita, of Palmyra, and Bonnie Abbott, of Bedford Hills, N.Y.; grandchildren Joel R. Abbott II, of Colorado, Jerrod R. Abbott and wife Christy, of Leesburg, Fla,, Tracy Gillis Walker and husband Edric, of Norwalk, Conn., Donald and wife Melody, of Detroit, and Michelle Holmes of Waterville; as well as seven great grandchildren.
Russell will be placed next to his wife at Village Cemetery, Peltoma Avenue, Pittsfield. (Morning Sentinel 11/14/2013)
DETROIT - Russell Washington Abbott, 87, formerly of Hartland, passed away peacefully Nov. 12, 2013, surrounded by his family at the home of his grandson and granddaughter-in- law, Donald and Melody Holmes, who lovingly cared for him during the last month of his life. Russell was born Feb. 22, 1926, in Winslow, the son of Fred Otis and Myrtle Simpson Abbott. Russ was the last living of 12 children.
Russell was married for 47 years to Gloria Vonnie Lasselle, who predeceased him in 1998. Together they raised their two children, Joel and Bonnie, in Pittsfield. In later years, Russell was fortunate to find companionship and to make a home with Jennie Roberts in Hartland.
Russell was employed for many years, first by JR Cianchette and then for Cianbro Corp, advancing from body man to yard foreman. He retired in 1985. Upon retiring, he and Gloria spent many years splitting their time between Eustis, Florida and Bar Harbor.
As a young man, Russ was one of the original six drivers to start racing at Unity Raceway when it was a flat dirt track. While he was a winner of many of those races, his greater enjoyment came from telling the stories of both winning and losing with that tight-knit group.
Russ was always known as the life of the party, whether it be a story, a joke, upside-down teeth or funny glasses. Russ loved to be in the center of things. He loved the outdoors, his family and his friends. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, camper and snowmobiler. He was always up for a good game of horseshoes. He was truly an unforgettable character.
He was a member of Peltoma Fish and Game, as well as the Pittsfield Elks Lodge for many years. He was a founding member of the Driftbusters Snowmobile Club.
Russ was predeceased by his wife, Gloria; companion Jennie Roberts; brothers George, Fred, Harold, Arthur, Merton, Arnold and Reginald; and sisters Lorena Grard, Maxine Burke Glascock, Charlene Dixon and Minna Pachowsky.
He is survived by his two children, Joel R. Abbott Sr., and wife Reita, of Palmyra, and Bonnie Abbott, of Bedford Hills, N.Y.; grandchildren Joel R. Abbott II, of Colorado, Jerrod R. Abbott and wife Christy, of Leesburg, Fla,, Tracy Gillis Walker and husband Edric, of Norwalk, Conn., Donald and wife Melody, of Detroit, and Michelle Holmes of Waterville; as well as seven great grandchildren.
Russell will be placed next to his wife at Village Cemetery, Peltoma Avenue, Pittsfield. (Morning Sentinel 11/14/2013)
Russell was married for 47 years to Gloria Vonnie Lasselle, who predeceased him in 1998. Together they raised their two children, Joel and Bonnie, in Pittsfield. In later years, Russell was fortunate to find companionship and to make a home with Jennie Roberts in Hartland.
Russell was employed for many years, first by JR Cianchette and then for Cianbro Corp, advancing from body man to yard foreman. He retired in 1985. Upon retiring, he and Gloria spent many years splitting their time between Eustis, Florida and Bar Harbor.
As a young man, Russ was one of the original six drivers to start racing at Unity Raceway when it was a flat dirt track. While he was a winner of many of those races, his greater enjoyment came from telling the stories of both winning and losing with that tight-knit group.
Russ was always known as the life of the party, whether it be a story, a joke, upside-down teeth or funny glasses. Russ loved to be in the center of things. He loved the outdoors, his family and his friends. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, camper and snowmobiler. He was always up for a good game of horseshoes. He was truly an unforgettable character.
He was a member of Peltoma Fish and Game, as well as the Pittsfield Elks Lodge for many years. He was a founding member of the Driftbusters Snowmobile Club.
Russ was predeceased by his wife, Gloria; companion Jennie Roberts; brothers George, Fred, Harold, Arthur, Merton, Arnold and Reginald; and sisters Lorena Grard, Maxine Burke Glascock, Charlene Dixon and Minna Pachowsky.
He is survived by his two children, Joel R. Abbott Sr., and wife Reita, of Palmyra, and Bonnie Abbott, of Bedford Hills, N.Y.; grandchildren Joel R. Abbott II, of Colorado, Jerrod R. Abbott and wife Christy, of Leesburg, Fla,, Tracy Gillis Walker and husband Edric, of Norwalk, Conn., Donald and wife Melody, of Detroit, and Michelle Holmes of Waterville; as well as seven great grandchildren.
Russell will be placed next to his wife at Village Cemetery, Peltoma Avenue, Pittsfield. (Morning Sentinel 11/14/2013)
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