Donald Raymond Abbott
Donald
Raymond Abbott, 72, of Malden,
passed away November 6, 2011 at the
Melrose-Wakefield Hospital in
Melrose, Massachusetts. He was born
July 18, 1939 in Boston,
Massachusetts, the son of David W.
and Alfreda (Stanford) Abbott.
Donald grew up in the Burlington
area, and graduated from Burlington
High School with the class of 1957.
He soon enlisted in the US Air
Force. He was discharged honorably
in 1960. In 1963, Donald married his
sweetheart, Jane M. McAleavey in a
Cambridge ceremony. They soon moved
to Somerville to start their family.
They have also lived in Stoneham and
Chelsea until settling down in
Malden
around 20 years ago.
Don had worked
as a MBTA bus driver for many years,
and had later become the President
and Business Agent for the Boston
Carmen’s Local 589 Union. Health
issues later forced his retirement
in 1985.
Donald was a
founder of the Texas Tower
Organization, which served to gain
recognition for the many civilians
and airmen, including his own
father, who lost their lives and
perished after a hurricane destroyed
a Radar Tower off the coast of New
Jersey in 1961. 14 airmen and 14
civilian workers lost their lives as
weather conditions delayed an
evacuation. Donald’s long time goals
were recently fulfilled when Senator
John Kerry hand delivered a letter
from President Obama recognizing the
dedication and sacrifice of the
civilians who perished at the Air
Force installation that day.
Donald was an
avid sports fan who liked all of the
Boston sports teams. He especially
appreciated being able to attend
spring training games for the Red
Sox in Florida each year.
He is survived
by his wife Jane (McAleavey) Abbott,
his daughter, Diane M. Pereira of
Malden, his son, David W. Abbott and
wife Diane (Vecchia) Abbott of
Winthrop, his sister, Dorothy
Harrington of AZ, his brothers,
Arthur Abbott of FL, Earl Abbott of
NH, and Robert Abbott of FL, and his
grandchildren, Bonnie Jean Pereira,
Luke Abbott, and Ava Abbott.
Donald was
preceded in death by his parents,
David W. Abbott and Alfreda Abbott;
his children, Bonnie Jean Abbott and
Donald Abbott Jr, and his brother
David W. Abbott, Jr.
Funeral
services will be held at the
Weir-MacCuish Golden Rule Funeral
Home, 144 Salem St, Malden, on
Friday, Nov 11, at 1PM. Interment
will be private. Visitation will be
held at the funeral home on
Thursday, Nov 10th, from
4:00PM– 8:00PM .
