Paul Nilsson Abbott, beloved husband of Susan Warner Abbott, loving father of Diane Warner Abbott, Emily Hart Abbott and her husband Jonathan Betsch, Amanda Warren Abbott and doting grandfather to Lila Grace Abbott Betsch, died of a heart-attack in his Needham home on March 12, 2007. He was 66.
Son of Agnes and Warren Abbott, long-time Needham residents, Paul was raised in Needham and graduated from Needham High in 1958. All the summers of his youth were spent as a camper and then counselor at Camp Boycroft on Lake Winnipesaukee--in his words, “the best of all possible boys’ camps.” He attended Bucknell University, belonged to Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, was a ROTC cadet, and graduated in 1962. He moved directly to Fort Benning for Airborne training and then to Fort Bragg for Ranger Training. He was a first Lieutenant in the 82nd Airborne Division. Paul and Susan, a Bucknell classmate, were married in New Britain, CT in 1964, and they lived off post at Fort Bragg. Paul was deployed to the Dominican Republic when the US sent soldiers there in a police action to stabilize that country.
After discharge from the Army, Paul joined his uncle in a family business which he and Paul’s father started during the Depression. Paul’s only sibling, John S. Abbott of Canton, joined Paul in the company after their uncle retired. Under their leadership, Abbott Box Co., Inc. evolved into a high-end corrugated packaging and design manufacturing company which is now Abbott Action, Inc. in Canton and Pawtucket, RI. Within the company, Paul was pleased to work with “the guys in the shop,” a diverse and talented group which often included his daughters in the summers. He was especially happy that his daughter Diane worked in customer service and sales for ten years. Paul was proud to be a manufacturer, to have the hands on responsibility of seeing the creation of a product from design to the end result. He felt lucky to have the opportunity to supply jobs to people and to teach his daughters and niece and nephew about a family business.
He was a family man “par excellence.” He loved family holiday dinners and celebrations and entertaining extended family members at the Abbott lake house in East Andover, NH, and just being there at any time of the year with his wife, Ipod, and binoculars to see the loons. His other interests were wide and included a Harley Davidson Heritage Soft Tail and cross country trips on it with friends; skiing and golfing at any time; taking cold-working glass classes at various art schools.
Paul’s first volunteer activity in Needham was as a chaperone for a ski club at the High School and then as a chaperone at teen dances. As his family grew, he became an aerobics instructor for 13 years at the YMCA in their supper- time Monday, Wednesday, and Friday classes. Later, Paul was the principle investor who acted in a supervisory capacity to Simple Syrup Glass Studio in Brockton where Emily and Jon create art glass. In retirement his volunteer time was given to the Fuller Craft Museum in Brockton and to the Mass. College of Art in an effort to sustain each institution.
A memorial service will be held at the Congregational Church of Needham, 1154 Great Plain Ave on Sunday March 18th at 3:00 PM. Relatives and friends are kindly invited. Visiting hours at the Eaton Funeral Home 1351 Highland Needham on Saturday from 4-8 PM.
Gifts in his memory may be made to the Paul Abbott Fund, Massachusetts College of Art Foundation, 621 Huntington Avenue, Boston Massachusetts, 02115. The Fund will recognize the joy he brought to all who knew him at the college – as a parent, a friend, ambassador and supporter – through a permanent memorial in the college’s new Center for Design Innovation. Gifts can also be made in Paul’s name to the Fuller Craft Museum, 455 Oak St. Brockton, MA 02301.