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Duane R. Abbajay

1933 - 2017

Duane R. Abbajay obituary, 1933-2017

FUNERAL HOME

Ansberg-West Funeral Directors

3000 Sylvania Avenue

Toledo, Ohio

Duane Abbajay Obituary

Duane R. Abbajay

Duane R. Abbajay, of Toledo, Ohio, passed away Tuesday, August 29, 2017, at Perrysburg Commons. He was 84 years old.

Many will know Duane as the long-time proprietor of the Peppermint Club and its later incarnation, the Country Palace.

Duane was born June 2, 1933 in Ada, Michigan to Charles and Geneva (Hood-Hood) Abbajay, one of 13 children.

In 1936, the Abbajay family moved to Toledo and settled into a large home on Superior Street. As a young man, Duane worked nights and weekends in his father's bar 422 Main.

Duane attended Woodward High School, where he was a star football player, tipping the scales his senior year at 260 pounds. His college football career at the University of Wisconsin was cut short after a back injury, an injury that would plague him for decades. He returned to Toledo where he worked for the George Freeman Construction Company in sales and management.

In 1957, he married Marie Kovacik. Their son, Duane C. Abbajay, was born in 1959. In 1958 he founded Abbajay Construction. In 1960, his wife Marie was killed in a car accident.

In 1961, an injury on a construction site led him to the nearest emergency room, where he met and fell in love with a young nurse named Mary Baldwin. They eloped six weeks later, honeymooning in the Black Hills of South Dakota, one of Duane's favorite places. In rapid succession, they had three children together, Bobby, Mary, and Stephanie.

In 1962 Duane took over a failing bar called the Peppermint Club in downtown Toledo at Jefferson and Ontario. Within a year, he had turned it into a hugely popular and successful night club, booking live acts including the Everly Brothers, Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis, the Four Seasons, the Platters, and Chubby Checkers.

In the mid 1970s, when the country music craze began sweeping the nation, he closed the Peppermint Club and reopened it as the Country Palace. His instincts were right on the mark, and the Country Palace became one of the most successful Country & Western venues in the Midwest, featuring live music from singers like Charlie Rich, Charlie Pride, Crystal Gayle, Dottie West, Conway Twitty, Waylon Jennings, and others.

In 1977, a songwriter named Hal Bynum wrote a song about a sad scene he witnessed at the Country Palace one night. The song was "Lucille." Kenny Rogers recorded it, and it became a monster hit. It made Kenny Rogers a star and the Country Palace famous. People came from all over the country to see the spot where, "In a bar in Toledo, across from the depot, on a bar stool she took off her ring."

In 1983, his son Bobby died of sleep apnea while a junior at Kenyon College. In 1986, his wife Mary died of breast cancer. In 1988, he sold the night club and retired. An avid golfer, he often golfed 36 holes a day. When he wasn't golfing, he was watching baseball, clipping coupons, bargain shopping, eating at the Beirut, and visiting his children and siblings around the country.

In 1994, he met Karol Poth of Pemberville, OH. Together they golfed and traveled, and they loved visiting their children and grandchildren around the country. They were a loving couple for 23 years until he passed away this week.

Duane is survived by his children: son, David and daughter-in-law, Maryann Abbajay of Sisters, OR, son, Duane C. (Dino) Abbajay and daughter-in-law, Paula Pennypacker of Scottsdale, Arizona, daughter, Mary Elizabeth Abbajay and son-in-law, Christopher Marlow of Washington, D.C., and daughter, Stephanie Abbajay and son-in-law, David Stine of St. Louis, MO; his grandchildren, David Lane Abbajay, Dacia Abbajay Lee, Madison Abbajay, Oskar Abbajay Stine, Frazier Abbajay, Walter Abbajay, and Willa Abbajay Stine; his long-time companion, Karol Poth of Pemberville, OH; his sisters, Jeanie (Abbajay) Rejsa of Phoenix, AZ, and Shirley (Abbajay) Shoched, of Toledo, Ohio; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Geneva (Hood-Hood) Abbajay; his wife, Marie Kovacik Abbajay; his wife, Mary (Baldwin) Abbajay; his son, Robert R. Abbajay; his brothers, Richard, James, and Donald Abbajay; and his sisters, Florence (Abbajay) Ruffin, Margery Abbajay, Josephine (Abbajay) Ratajski, Elizabeth (Abbajay) Jordi, Dolores (Abbajay) O'Leary.

Family and friends may visit on Tuesday, September 5, 2017, from 2 - 6 p.m, at the Ansberg-West Funeral Home, 3000 Sylvania Avenue (between Secor and Douglas Roads), where funeral services will follow at 6 p.m. In lieu of flowers or gifts, Duane has requested memorial contributions be made to the Robert R. Abbajay Memorial Scholarship at Kenyon College. They may be sent to College Relations Office, Kenyon College, 105 Chase Avenue, Gambier, OH, 43022.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at

www.ansberg-west.com



View the online memorial for Duane R. Abbajay

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Published by The Blade from Sep. 1 to Sep. 3, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Duane Abbajay

Not sure what to say?





Dennis Ruffin

September 5, 2017

It was with heavy hearts we learned the passing of our beloved family member Duane. We are filled with great memories of him and know he will be with us always.

Dennis & Lois Ruffin
Mike & Mary Ruffin
Dave & Mary Ruffin

Kenneth Hatzinikolis & Family

September 5, 2017

To the Abbajay Family,

It is with a heavy heart that I write this entry in this in my friends Guest Book.

I have known Duane since we were children; playing together at Lagrange School, Woodward High School football and the many late nights spent toghether in the old North end. So many fond memories of the moments and times we shared. Please know that Duane was loved by many of his friends and will be deeply missed.

I will pray for Duane and for you. May God embrace you and guide you through these tough time.

Please accept my deepest sympathy. May Duane find comfort, rest and peace.

Ann Badasch

September 3, 2017

Stephanie and Family, I'm sorry that you have lost your Father. What a life! The people that he met, the things that he accomplished. Thinking of you. Ann Badasch

Edward Rejsa

September 3, 2017

My deepest sympathy to the Abbajay family. My
thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
May you find comfort in the memories that are
yours to cherish always. And strength in the
companionship of all those who share your loss.
God bless his beautiful soul. And may God's
grace and peace be with you all.

Lori Keeler

September 2, 2017

Mary You are in my thoughts and prayers

Lori Kurdys Keeler

Bob Morrissey

September 2, 2017

A good man, good football player and friend.

John Sweeney

September 2, 2017

Dear Mary and Abbajay Family,
Condolences on your loss. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers.

Larry Mopps II

September 1, 2017

Stephanie..., "So sorry for your loss; God's blessings to you & your family"

September 1, 2017

Very sorry for your loss, a wonderful man that I had worked for at the Country Palace for years, will be greatly remembered by many! Shared many good times while being a friend and employee of this intelligent, caring man.... So many memories. Rest in Heaven as you are reunited with your family.

becky feltner

September 1, 2017

its been many years since i saw you, i worked for duane for many years at the country palace, thats where i met duane, he always made every one special, will miss you r. i. p.

Bernie Solomon

September 1, 2017

Shirley. My sympathies on your loss

Stephanie Kuron

September 1, 2017

Dino,Mary & Stephanie,
My heart has been broken since your Dads passing. What a wonderful man! I could fill this whole entry with examples!
For 15 years, 7 days a week, I worked for your Dad. I felt like he was my Dad also!
He was the best boss ever! His kind & gentle spirit to everyone was a blessing in itself. I'm so glad I got to see him in July! He couldn't talk, but his reaction showed that he remembered me!
A note of thanks to Karol for taking care of him in such a beautiful way.
I will remember him in my prayers & the rest of my life!
Rest in peace DARLIN'

September 1, 2017

My deepest sympathy to the Abbajay family for your loss. May you find strength and hope in the God of all comfort during this difficult time.

Carol Sue Huff ( Wathey)

September 1, 2017

RIP my friend! Thank you for all the beautiful memories, your clubs gave us over the years!

Terry Rejsa-Gilman

August 31, 2017

My deepest condolences to the Abbajay children and family of my dear, fun-loving Uncle Duane. He will be missed, never forgotten, and always loved. Rest in Peace now, with Bobby, Aunt Marie and Aunt Mary.

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Sep

5

Visitation

2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Ansberg-West Funeral Directors

3000 Sylvania Avenue, Toledo, OH 43613

Sep

5

Funeral service

6:00 p.m.

Ansberg-West Funeral Directors

3000 Sylvania Avenue, Toledo, OH 43613

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Ansberg-West Funeral Directors

3000 Sylvania Avenue, Toledo, OH 43613

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