Wayne Willard Abells, 77, formerly of Newton, Auburndale and South Dartmouth, died of complications from Lewy Body Dementia on Sept. 5th 2007. He was lovingly cared for at Hearthstone in Woburn where he resided for the past two years. Wayne was born to Dorothy and Harry Abells of Newton on March 25, 1930. Wayne spent most of his life in Newton starting school at the Cabot Street Elementary School and graduating from Newton High in 1948. He went on to Newton Preparatory School a year later. After serving four years in the Navy during the Korean War, Wayne returned to Newton Where he lived until 2005 with his wife Eadie. Many will remember him as “Wayne” the manager of Colestones’ Cafeteria on Hawley Street in Boston, where he worked from mid-fifties to mid-seventies. Colestones was a small cafeteria that was located between Filenes and the Arch Street Church. It was owned by his father Harry Abells and known for its “Fast food” of the era. Wayne trained hundreds of teenagers at Colestones including his three daughters (Donna, Debby and Nancy) and son in law, Jay. Although he was probably dyslexic, he had a keen ability to describe and demonstrate all tasks employees needed to learn at Colestones. From the simplest task, like pouring coffee from the 20 gallon coffee urns to more complex like counting back change. He will be remembered by his employees and countless regular customers for his quiet and warm smile. Wayne had a passion for automobiles. He was a self- taught mechanic, rebuilding his first car engine at the age of sixteen. He continued to repair cars throughout his life and took pleasure in helping his friends and relatives repair their cars as well. Having mastered auto mechanics, he took a course in auto body repair at the “New” Newton North High School when the building was first opened in 1973. He especially enjoyed sharing his new auto body skills with his son in law Paul as they worked together on many auto repair projects. Summers throughout his life were spent at the family cottage on Little Horseneck Beach, with his brother Delmont and his sister Suzy. Due to hurricane damage, his family had to rebuild four cottages including the current one which Wayne finished building with his nephew Don. Wayne leaves three daughters; Nancy McNulty and her husband Paul of Danvers, Deborah Jasset and her husband Jay of Newton and Donna Paolini of Marlborough, a brother Delmont Abells and a sister Susan O’Donnell both of North Attleboro, ten grandchildren, two nephews, two nieces, and their families. A memorial service will be held at the Newton Cemetery Chapel, 791 Walnut St. Newton on Wed. Sept. 12th at 11:00 AM. Relatives and friends are kindly invited. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Hearthstone Alzheimer’s Family Foundation, 23 Warren Ave. Woburn, MA 01801.
Arrangements by Eaton & Mackay Funeral Home Newton Corner.