Add a Memory
Send Flowers
Make a Donation
Thomas Abbott Obituary
Publish in a newspaper
Tom worked as an engineer with New York State Department of Transportation and later with the Department of Environmental Conservation from which he retired in 1993. He was a veteran of the US Army. An accomplished guitarist he both played and taught guitar lessons. He was a former member of the Troy Musicians Union and a member of the American Legion Mohawk Post 1450 in Halfmoon. In addition to enjoying playing his guitar he was an avid boater.
Survivors include his loving wife of 61 years Diane VanAllen Abbott and his devoted children, Cherie Powers (Michael) of Malta, Scott Thomas Abbott of Waterford and David Abbott (James Bell) of Stillwater. He is the brother of the late Charles Abbott and Janet Halse (late Joseph) and brother in law of Marge Abbott of Waterford. He is the proud grandfather of Faith Elizabeth Powers. Several nieces and nephews also survive. Also surviving are his feline companions, Bronx, Baby Girl and Tazz.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday February 29, 2024 at noon at Philip J. Brendese Funeral Home, 133 Broad St. (Rte. 32), Waterford. Interment will follow in Oakwood Cemetery, Troy.
Relatives and friends may visit at the funeral home on Thursday from 10 am - noon prior to the memorial service.
Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Whiskers Animal Benevolent League, PO Box 11190, Albany, NY 12211.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
4 Entries
David Abbott
March 7, 2024
On behalf of our family: Tom´s wife, (my mom) Diane (Van Allen) Abbott, his daughter, (my sister) Cherie (Abbott) Powers, his son, (my brother) Scott Abbott, his son in-laws, (our spouses) Michael Powers and Jim Bell, Jr., his granddaughter, (my niece) Faith, and myself (his son), David Abbott, we thank you all for coming today to honor the life of my dad Thomas E. Abbott.
Tom was born at home in Speigeltown, NY on August 29, 1938. He was the son of the late Kenneth Abbott and Ethel (Link) Abbott. He was the brother of the late Charles Abbott of Waterford and the late Janet (Abbott) Halse of Brunswick. He was the son in-law of the late Marjorie and Frank VanAllen, Sr. of Troy. He was the brother in-law of Marge Abbott of Waterford and David & Sheryl VanAllen of Anaheim Hills, California. He was the brother in-law of the late Henry Halse of Brunswick, and the late Frank Van Allen, Jr., & his wife Leigh of Cohoes. He was the uncle of several nieces and nephews: Rick, Nancy, Ken, Steve, Bryan, Doug, Margie, Julie, April, Shawna & Sandy. Did I forget anybody? And he was the loving grandfather of his only grandchild, Faith Elizabeth Powers.
Tom was a graduate of Lansingburgh High School and of Hudson Valley Community College.
He worked as an engineer with the New York State Department of Transportation and later with the Department of Environmental Conservation in the Dept. of Flood Protection until his retirement in 1993. Tom was a veteran of the United States Army, who was stationed in Japan - where my parents lived for about a year or so.
My dad was also an accomplished guitarist and really loved to play and sing music. He played with several different area bands throughout the 60s, 70s and 80s. "Good News" & "Sweet Rain" are two that I remember the names of. He also taught guitar lessons to his students from our home and through Hilton´s music store in Latham Circle Mall in Latham, NY.
Dad greatly enjoyed the pastime of boating. It was his escape to mother nature. He and my mom had a cabin cruiser on Lake George and our family enjoyed boating, fishing and swimming during the summers throughout our childhood and beyond.
He worked very hard to make a good life for his family, and boy... do we have some great memories of fun times, family outings and our vacations to Cape Cod.
Later in life, my dad was diagnosed with dementia. He slowly progressed in losing his ability to communicate. Our family did our best to keep him happy, comfortable and at home for as long as possible. This was not always an easy task and I want to thank my mom, Diane and my brother, Scott for their perseverance in taking care of my dad.
While his illness was a great struggle for our family, we will not define his life by it.
My dad Tom, was a fantastic father, husband, grandfather, son, brother, brother in-law, uncle and a kind and loving soul.
To know him was to love him.
It is normal for all of us to be very sad at the loss of my dad. He was a great & kind man.
But perhaps what we all need to focus on and be thankful for, is the tremendous gift we had in sharing our lives with him.
What a gift he was to us all.
We love you, Dad.
Thank you.
David Abbott
March 7, 2024
David Abbott
March 7, 2024
Rick Morris SC
February 24, 2024
Tom used to teach me guitar in his Waterford home back in the 70's.
RIP
How you can show support
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Follow this page
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Showing 1 - 4 of 4 results
133 Broad Street, Waterford, NY 12188
Make a Donation
in Thomas Abbott's name
People and places connected with Thomas
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
How to support Thomas's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Thomas Abbott's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
