My father John Robert Abbott, Jr., my mother
Eleanor Howes Messier Abbott (1938-2002), my brother John David Abbott and me
"Bob” (my father) was born on November, 6, 1938, in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. His first wife (my mother) Eleanor Howes Messier, was born June 10, 1938, died April 25, 2002. They had two sons together. Second wife is Nancy Lawton of Assonet, Massachusetts. They currently reside in The Villages, Florida. He worked as an engineer/draftsman for various companies, was an owner of a couple of businesses, ran an employment agency and owned a Baskin-Robbins ice cream business in Newport, Rhode Island for a short time. He then worked for a temporary employment agency as a draftsman, working on special projects for various companies including Bird Machine, Hasbro, and Taco Industries. He retired from Taco Industries after several years in their employ. He also had obtained his teaching certification, after student teaching in Seekonk, Massachusetts, and although he was an exceptional teacher, he chose not to pursue this career path. Always a hard worker, he had several jobs after getting married right out of high school. He worked at a factory, had a large paper route on Sundays, officiated basketball and baseball leagues, and was a server at the Crescent Park Dinner Hall, Riverside, Rhode Island. He did what he had to do to support his young family. Following a two-year hiatus, John returned to high school graduating from Tolman in Pawtucket the same year as James and Sandra Briden (the parents of Chris Briden, wife of my brother John David Abbott). After briefly living in his father’s three-decker on 31 Stearns Street, the family relocated to 266 Japonica Street in Pawtucket, residing in the third floor apartment of this tenement house. I have lifelong friends from that neighborhood. He was very active with my brother and me, coaching our sports teams year round. He was always a very positive role model to all he came into contact with and exemplified the true meaning of youth sports. A great athlete himself, he imparted a very deep knowledge of the various sports in an unassuming and modest manner. In spite of his very busy work and school schedule (he attended night school for 10 years to obtain his college degree, graduating from The University of Rhode Island in 1974, the same year I graduated from high school), he always had time for his children and I have very fond memories of our games of catch in the backyard, and our visits to various parks on the weekends. We would go to Lee’s Pond or Capron Park in Attleboro to play some football and after a short time a group of kids would be waiting for us each week so they could join in on the fun. I remember when he would hit tremendous and countless high flies to me as I chased them around the field - I loved it! At times, I would hit high flies to him and he would catch them behind his back, while making it look easy.
List of Children: 1. Ernest James, born January 10, 1956 in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Died September 15, 2018 in Providence, Rhode Island. Married to Deborah Ann Lefebvre Turgeon, they started dating in 1991 and married on May 29, 1999. She has a son, Raymond Carl Turgeon, born September 4, 1990, who was raised by them. "Ernie" spent 10 years (1976-1986) on active duty in the United States Air Force. Afterwards, he worked in the Attleboro, Massachusetts Public Schools teaching children with intellectual and physical challenges during the day and for The Arc assisting adults with the same challenges at night. Starting in 1982, he umpired baseball/softball games and refereed basketball from youth to college level. His favorite leisure time activities included: gardening, building bird houses, listening, singing and DJing his favorite music, and vacations at Old Orchard Beach, Maine and Lake Winnisquam, New Hampshire.
2. John David, born May 27, 1959, received his doctorate degree from the University of Rhode Island. Married Christine Briden and they have six children, 3 biological and 3 adopted from China. Currently resides in High Point, North Carolina. John’s favorite leisure time activities include: vacations and camp with family, gardening, and playing basketball. He, like his father, is a very intelligent, caring, and giving person, respected and admired by all he comes into contact with. He is a great father and role model, heavily involved in the lives of all his children, with his church and community. The world would be a better place if we had more like him in it!!!