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John Abbott Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for John Abbott
Ted Van Dyk
February 2, 2025
John Abbott was a memorable person. I met him at age 7 when I transferred from one Bellingham grade school to another. I knew no one at my new school and neighborhood. John was among the first to befriend me. After school we often would go to his home or mine, throw a football to each other at the nearby Bellingham HS field, or (as John reminded me) read stories aloud to each other. One day, I recall, we were riding our bikes up Cornwall Ave. near the high school. The front tire of my bike got caught in leftover streetcar tracks in the street and I was thrown over the handlebars into the street. John jumped off his bike and stopped traffic each way until I was back on my feet on the sidewalk. John was a friend and classmate as well at Whatcom Jr. High and Bellingham HS. We played on the same intramural basketball team at Whatcom. At BHS John was captain of the football team and I was team manager.
The Korean War started during our senior year at BHS. John and some other friends enlisted in the Marines and fought in Korea. I went off to college with a student deferment (serving later in the Army). When the war ended I was working at home over the summer. One afternoon I returned from work to find John sitting on my front porch. "The war is over," he announced, "and I am back home."
John was physically strong and tough but had a gentle heart of gold. He was a leader wherever he was. He loved his family and friends.
A memorable person I miss every day.
Dave and Judy (Bernardy) Crnich
February 13, 2011
To Mr. Abbott's family,
We are deeply sorry for the loss of your loved one. Mr. Abbott well be missed by so many. He left his imprint of kindness on the hearts of everyone that knew him. I was lucky enough to have Mr. Abbott for a teacher at Meridian High School. My husband had the privilege to honor Coach Abbott at the 100 year celebration of Meridian Football Leaders and Legions. Mr. Abbott's perfect example of a positive person has been a great influence on both our lives. His bigger than life smile and hearty laugh is forever in our memories. We are so thankful he was apart of our lives. Mr./Coach Abbott was truly a gift from God.
Dave and Judy (Bernardy) Crnich
Class of '69 and '72
Jerry Parker
February 11, 2011
Mr Abbott was my Football coach and teacher. He was a great motivator and knew how to get the most out of someone. He was also a warm hearten person that would go beyond to help someone out. John is going to be missed by many but God has gained a great warrior . Gods Blessing to the Abbott family.
February 10, 2011
I was a student at Meridan Middle School while Mr. Abbott was the counselor there. He was a dear sweet man. He always was positive and encouraging. He was always ready with an encouraging word. He was the best part of the school. Jerrie Cook (Davidson) class of 91.
February 10, 2011
Mr. Abbot was a gentle spirit. He tried guiding me with kind words and and his incredible wisdome while I was trying to grow up at Meridian. My condolances to the Abbot family
Kevin Bowman
February 9, 2011
I have always remembered Mr Abbott fondly... as a teacher, a coach, a berry boss, and a constant and comforting presence during my time at Meridian. I know how difficult it can be for a family to lose such a big presence in your lives and I wish you peace and comfort.
Steve Vekved
February 9, 2011
My heartfelt condolences go to the family of John Abbott. Upon transferring to Meridian Middle School in the seventh grade, Mr. Abbott was one of the first to welcome me. Coach Abbott always had an ear for listening, and was a constant encouragement. I will be forever grateful. Thank you, Coach.
Shea Rupke
February 9, 2011
Besides the memory of Mr. Abbott walking the halls of the middle school constantly beaming, I remember the summers in the berry fields as well and the times on the softball field. When my sister and I got into berry fights, I felt that we had totally let him down, instead of yelling, he had a easy charm that just made us feel really remorseful. To his family, my prayers for your loss of this wonderful man, whom I only had the pleasure of knowing as a child. To have known him a lifetime, how lucky you all are, thanks for sharing him.
Carla Gaitan
February 9, 2011
My condolences to his family. Mr Abbott was a good friend and coach. Some of my best memories are of playing ball under his tutelage.
Curt Hansen
February 9, 2011
I have a lot of good memories of Mr.Abbott from Meridian Middle school and the berry field he was the best thing for Meridian Middle school he always made me laugh I remember one time we had a skating party and of course he got out and he did the hokey poky on his skates he always had a smile on his face no matter what happened he was a very jolly man. I remember one time when my dad turned off the fuse box to his office of course he came out to see what was going on and he saw my dad and I laughing, then he said Curt did you put your dad up to turning my power off. I'm going to miss him but I know that he is in heaven with my dad (Phil Hansen) telling one another jokes and laughing about the things they did at Meridian. My prayers and thoughts are with John Abbots family
February 8, 2011
Mr. Abbott was a favorite teacher. He was very funny and very cheerful. He gave me lots of good advice and I offer my sincerest condolences to the family.
Gladys Harter
February 8, 2011
Mr. Abbott is the one person at Meridian School who had a huge impact on my son, Kevin VanderHaak,...as a Coach and Counselor. He had a special love and cared about people way beyond what was required of him. Kevin had a great love and respect for him. I also appreciated him very much.
Bonnie Rudolph
February 8, 2011
My Heart goes out to his family members, Mr. Abbott was a very inspirational person and lead the way for some of us when needed, that helping hand, shirt off his back, he will be missed by so very many
Terry Toland
February 8, 2011
Thank you Mr. Abbott for making me play Football and giving me a good word every practice. I was not very good then but you gave me strength and encouragement everyday. The world is a little less brighter today. I will never forget him or his spirit that gave me strength.
Debbie Stremler
February 8, 2011
I wanted to leave a little note to let the family know Mr.Abbott was a wonderful mentor to me while i attended meridian. I am thankful I got to spend the time I did with him. I am truly sorry for your loss He really was an amazing man.
Suzanne Teshera
February 8, 2011
Mr. Abbot is probably the man who meant the most to me and had the most profound effect on me as a child. Consistency is important when you're little. So are rules. So is unconditional love. From grade school counselor to high school berry boss, he listened, advised, encouraged, and basically made me feel human. Thank you for sharing him with so many lucky children.
Ronnie Haveman
February 8, 2011
Mr Abbott was great! I have so many memories of him from my youth. He truly cared about us. My thoughts and prayers to his family.
Liz McDonald
February 8, 2011
Trace, I so enjoyed our conversations about your father. What admiration you had for him, I'm so sorry for your loss and the entire loss for your family. You are in my thoughts, sending hugs. Your co-worker and friend, Liz
Darlene Beckley Douglas
February 8, 2011
Mr. Abbott was the best. He was fun, he was fair, and we all knew that he cared about us and our future. He was someone in education who cared about his job, and cared about the kids, and most importantly - we ALL knew that, which is not always something you find these days. He will be missed.
Gerri Anderson-Epley
February 8, 2011
Some of the most amazing memories I have of my adolescense are thanks to Mr. Abbott. He listened when others didn't, cared when most wouldn't, was tough and fair and EVERYTHING a great teacher, counselor, coach, and human being could have aspired to be. My heart is saddened but I smile to your memory, Sir. Thanks for all the milkshakes.
Shanna Howard
February 8, 2011
Mr. Abbott was a big influence on me during my years at Meridian Middle School. I am thankful for the guidance he provided to me when I needed it. My heart goes out to his family at this time, and I hope you all find comfort in knowing that he was such a positive influence for so many of us. He will be missed, but those of us who knew him at all carry a piece of him with us.
Melanee Schwind
February 8, 2011
I am so sorry to hear about Mr. Abbott's passing. I have so many wonderful memories of him. He was such a wonderful man with such a great sense of humor. He not only worked with my dad at Meridian Middle School (Phil Hansen) but he was also my middle school counselor. I will always remember him putting smiley faces on our hamburgers at lunch, always having a smile to share, and was always joking with us kids. He retired the year my class was moving on to high school so that last day of school was bitter sweet. He was just a wonderful man. The last time I saw him was at my parent's 50th wedding anniversary back in 2007 he was still the same funny guy I remembered. To Mr Abbott's Family, I pray that you will feel God's presences in your time of sorrow. Remember there is really no good bye, this was his temporary home for he is now with his Lord. And I'm sure my dad and him are now sharing manying jokes and stories now.
Melanee (Hansen) Schwind
February 8, 2011
I was a student at Meridian i enjoyed him very much he had a very good ear and gave great advice.I'm so sorry for your loss my thoughts and prayers to all the abbott family. roxann (vroman) worrell
Lisa Flora Waugh
February 8, 2011
Mr. Abbott was my advisor in high school. I was a miserable high school Junior at that time. Many of us were! He understood that I needed to leave, but he also knew I needed to finish school. He advised me to gain early acceptance to college, that I was smart enough and could. He knew that would be the best possible thing for my future. so with his help, I did just that. I've always been grateful to him for that sound advice. He had the knack for paving the way.
He's being well received on his new journey now.
Ted Van Dyk
February 8, 2011
John was a wonderful person. When I was in the third grade, I moved from Roosevelt to Washington School. John and Henry Banks were my first friends there and remained so. I spent many after-school hours with John. He taught me to punt a football. We read stories aloud to each other, trick-or-treated together each Halloween. We played on the same summer kids' baseball team. His black dog, Collie, would follow me all over Bellingham. At Whatcom Jr. High and BHS, John was a highly competitive football player but good hearted and kind. He truly loved life. John joined the Marine Corps right out of high school and went to Korea. I headed in another direction and spent many years in the East. When I returned to the Puget Sound area in semi-retirement, 10 years ago, I saw John again. It was if no time had passed. He was exactly the same person I remembered from our growing-up years, except that in-between he had devoted many years to teaching, coaching, his church, and other positive things. All of us who grew up in Bellingham in those Depression, World War II, and Korean War days will remember John as an important part of our lives. He will remain in our hearts, never far away, quite near..
Dennis Angell
February 8, 2011
My deepest sympothy to the Abbott family. I am a former student of your dad's/husband and to this day I remember him well. He was a big part of my life growing up back then. He was a very special teacher/coach. My heart goes out to you.
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