Gilford-----Frank L. Abbott, 75, of 41 Potter Hill Road, Gilford, passed away, May 20, 2013 at the Laconia Rehabilitation Center after a long and courageous battle with COPD.
Frank was born in Nashua, N.H. on August 8, 1937, the son of Gordon and Beatrice (Davis) Abbott. He graduated in 1956 from Franklin High School where he played football. He went into
the U. S. Army in 1956, returned and married his first wife, Nancy (Woodward) Abbott. He went on to work in construction and retired from Watts Regulator in 1999.
Frank was a life member of the Franklin Lodge of Elks #1280.
Frank was a wonderful husband, father, brother, uncle and Grampa & Papa to his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He loved to travel, going to Foxwoods, dancing and enjoying his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Frank is survived by his wife of twenty years, Sally (Blakeney) Abbott, of Gilford; daughters, Beth Chamberlin, son-in-law, Bill, and grandson, Curtis, all of E. Andover, N.H. and Brenna Benson, son-in-law, Jack, and grandson, Tyler, all of Franklin and Florida; his stepchildren, Gary Harbour and daughter-in-law, Sue, and Gail and Bill Romprey and Lisa Shepherd all of Laconia; grandchildren, Jodi and Tom Rhodes; great grandson, Ethan, of Tolland, Conn., Cody and Sydney Shepherd of Laconia, Christine & Chris Fowler; great grandchildren, Dominic, Dylan and Devin, of Laconia, Sara and Dave McFazden; great granddaughter, Libby, and another expected in July, of Somersworth, N.H., Emily McDonald of San Francisco, Calif.; many nieces and nephews; his sisters, Kay Lauze of Bow, N.H., Beverly Lebel, of Beverly, Mass.; his brothers, Robert and wife, Ethel Abbott, of Franklin and Richard Abbott of Lowell, Mass. Frank was predeceased by his parents, Gordon and Beatrice Abbott, a brother, John Abbott , a stepson, Dan Harbour, four brothers-in-law, Robert Lebel, Robert Lauze, Oliver Blakeney and Edward Blakeney.
Frank put up a brave fight for so many years with COPD, but never complained. He will be missed by all his family and friends, especially his dear friends at Gilford Knolls II.
A memorial calling hour will be held on Friday, May 24, 2013 from 9:30-10:30AM in the Carriage House of the Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H.
A Funeral Service will follow the calling hour at 10:30AM also at the Funeral Home.
For those who wish, memorial donations may be made to the American Lung Association in New Hampshire, 460 Totten Pond Road, Ste. 400, Waltham, MA 02451.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H. is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.