Edwin John Abeling
Edwin John Abeling, age 96, passed away on August 20, 2012 in Connecticut Hospice in Branford. Edwin was the husband of the late Polly May Eldridge Abeling. Born in Amsterdam, NY on October 4, 1915, he was a son of the late John & Esther Auty Abeling and brother of the late Wesley & Donald Abeling & Eileen Lincoln. Edwin is survived by his sons Michael Abeling & his wife Patricia of Venice, FL, J. Steven Abeling & his wife Cindy of Woodbridge and Jeffrey Abeling & his wife Teresa of North Haven; granddaughters Kristina Pitts of Pacifica, CA, Alyssa Catherine Abeling of North Haven & Elizabeth Claire Abeling of Pittsburgh, PA; step-grandsons, Blake Grey & Timothy Blum; great grandchildren Michael & Maxwell Pitts; sister Ruth Blatchford of Amsterdam, NY; brother Francis Abeling of the Villages, FL and several nieces & nephews. He was a graduate of the University of Kentucky & Columbia University Graduate School of Business & attended Mass Institute of Technology for Special Training in Food Technology. Edwin was employed 20 years as Director of Research & Development with Beech-Nut Life Savers in Canajoharie, NY & San Jose, CA and 20 years with Peter Paul Inc. and later Peter Paul Cadbury as Vice President of Research & Development in Naugatuck, CT. He lectured at Rensellear Polytechnical Institute and at Yale University in the Department of Botany as well as before many organizations in the Scientific Community. He was co-author of a textbook 'The Chemistry and Technology of Cereals as Food and Feed'. He has written and published numerous scientific articles in his field in various trade journals and magazines. Edwin was a member of The Institute of Food Technology, The Food and Drug Law Institute in Washington DC and a member of the Woodbridge Club and served on its board of directors. After retiring in 1981 he was a consultant for several years concentrating on food and drug regulations affecting the food industry. In his later years he took up water color painting which were exhibited in galleries locally and in Florida. He was a parishioner for many years of Bethesda Lutheran Church in New Haven. His funeral service will be held Friday August 31, 2012 at 10:00 AM in the Bethesda Lutheran Church, 305 St. Ronan St, New Haven, followed by his burial at East Side Cemetery, Woodbridge. Friends may also visit with his family on Thursday August 30th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at BEECHER & BENNETT FUNERAL HOME, 2300 Whitney Ave Hamden, CT. Contributions in Edwin's memory may be made to Bethesda Lutheran Church, 305 St. Ronan Street, New Haven, CT 06511 or to Connecticut Hospice Inc, 100 Double Beach Road, Branford, CT 06405
Mike, Steve and Jeff, I am so very sorry for your loss. Uncle Ed will be greatly missed. His warmth, compassion, dignity and love for family will be remembered by us all. I am happy to say that my dad, Donald, shared with me many wonderful stories of the hijinks growing up as an Abeling . Even during their later years, Dad, Aunt Ruth and Uncle Ed continued to amuse themselves with the Can of the Month Club. This club went on for quite some time much to dads amusement. I will always remember his drink of choice (and how to make it), your Dad and Aunt Polly on the dance floor and how he made you feel like the most important person in the world when he talked with you. Family meant so much to your Dad. This was always evident in the Holiday letters, the special notes with photos and the love that was always so freely given to all of us. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time. Love, Sharon
Mikie, Stevie & Jeff…I absolutely adored Uncle Ed! He always made me smile…always made us feel at home; always interested in what the family was up to. I loved that he continued Aunt Polly’s annual Christmas card mailing too. In addition to childhood memories…I remember Rich & I riding our motorcycles into his driveway one fall day while he was raking leaves out of the window-wells. He gave a puzzled look until our helmets came off. With an immediate smile, .Come on into the house. Hey, Polly…look who’s here…!. Out comes a snack, an invitation to stay for dinner, or to stay for the whole weekend. (Or maybe he thought we looked like we might be really great leaf rakers!). Although we will miss him…we will continue to enjoy sharing the old family stories and memories….(still can’t eat spaghetti with the family…without thinking of the meatball story). All our love, Debbie, Richard and family.
We were sorry to read of Ed’s passing. A fine gentleman is gone, but we are sure that you will find comfort in many great memories of him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dear Mike, Steve, Jeff and families, Sorry to hear of Uncle Eds passing what a life he led with Aunt Polly at his side. Both so warm and caring. He never failed to call Mom each week when she was sick and to check on us girls. It meant the world to her and to us. Uncle Ed had quite a career, no small feat for a boy growing up in a small town in those days. As a little girl, I could not appreciate just how talented he was, but it was really cool to have an Uncle in the candy business. He would bring candy each time he and Aunt Polly visited, some not yet on the market. He was our own Willy Wonka! I spoke to Uncle Ed just before entering college. I was leaning toward a medical technology degree but wise, Uncle Ed said to me why not get a degree with more opportunities. With all sincerity, I am not sure where my own career would have taken me without his sage advice. Thanks Uncle Ed. I am thinking of you all and send heartfelt condolences. Love Robin
DEAR MR. AND MRS. ABELING AND FAMILY, OUR PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU DURING THIS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TIME. WITH DEEPEST SYMPATHY, NANCY,JOHN,MARK,JAY, AND HIS WIFE LISA FERRARO- AND MY MOM-NANCY PORTO -145 BUELL-NEXT DOOR
We wanted to express our sincere sympathy on the loss of a fine gentleman. He certainly lived a life worth celebrating.