EAST WINTRHOP – On July 11, 2008, James H. Abbott Jr., 71, finished his life journey, surrounded by his family. Born in Jamaica Plains, Mass., he was the son of James H. and Christine (Reid) Abbott. He grew up in Orono and was a 1955 graduate of Orono High School. In 1957 he graduated from Martin Methodist College, Tennessee; Hamline University, St. Paul, Minn., in 1959; and received his master’s from the University of Maine, Gorham. On Dec. 27, 1959, he married Beverly Gardner. Mr. and Mrs. Abbott have resided in East Winthrop since 1995 and previously lived in St. Paul, Minn., Ellsworth, Richmond, Bath and Lexington, Ky. Jim taught elementary school for more than 30 years in Ellsworth, Richmond and Phippsburg. At Phippsburg Elementary School he coached the boys basketball team. Jim was an active member of United Methodist Church in the various communities in which he lived. At the time of his death, Jim was serving as a member of the board of directors of United Methodist Economic Ministries, Salem. During his lifetime, he was a camper, counselor and director at Camp Mechuwana of the United Methodist Church, Winthrop. From his teenage years up, Jim had a passion for raising, showing and judging rabbits, which he shared with family and friends. Through the National Rabbit Breeders Association he was recognized as a registrar and judge of rabbits. His hobbies included collecting baseball cards, Department 56 villages, electric trains and gardening, especially day lilies and hostas. Surviving are his wife, Beverly Gardner Abbott of East Winthrop; his son, the Rev. David Abbott and his wife, Lisa, of Belfast; two daughters, Sheila Wells and her husband, Glen and Kimberly Helton and her husband, Tommy, all of Pulaski, Tenn.; four grandchildren, Christopher D. Abbott and Matthew J. Abbott, both of Belfast, Kristie N. Wells and Brandon J. Wells, both of Pulaski, Tenn.; two sisters, Linda Candage and her husband, Harvard, of Naples and Florida, Sharon Garcia and her husband, John, of Alamo, Calif.; a sister-in-law, Kathleen Gardner Field and her husband, John, of Orono; a brother-in-law, Stephen Gardner of Sedona, Ariz.; several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his nephew, Abbott Garcia. The family wants to especially thank the nurses and doctors on Special Care Unit 4 at Maine Medical Center for their loving care of Jim and support of his family. A memorial service will be held 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 15, at United Methodist Church, 23 Mill Lane, Belfast, with the Rev. Dr. Thom Blackstone officiating. A reception will be held immediately after the service with interment after at Riverside Cemetery, Orono. Memorial donations may be made to United Methodist Economic Ministry, 1458 Salem Road, Salem Township, ME 04983. Arrangements are with Long Funeral Home, 9 Mountain St., Camden.
JAMES H. ABBOTT JR.
