Rev. John W. Abbott
John Wilbur Abbott, born October 17, 1922, died on Monday, June 11, 2018 in Hamden, Connecticut, after a long illness. The son of Charles Harlan Abbott and Elizabeth Nichols Abbott, he was born in Redlands, California. He received degrees from the University of Redlands, Chicago Theological Seminary and Andover Newton Theological Seminary. At Andover Newton he met and married Virginia Towns. They were together for 61 years until her death. He was ordained as a minister in the United Church of Christ in 1946 and lived for more than 60 years in Hamden. He had an eclectic career, working for the New Haven Council of Churches, the National Council of Churches in New York City, the National Conference of Christians and Jews, and other organizations before joining The Connecticut Hospice, where he worked in public information for decades. While at Hospice he wrote 2 books and many articles for local and national publications. During various retirement periods he served as an interim minister at local churches including Dunbar UCC and Old Stone Church. John was predeceased by his wife, his parents, and his sister Nancy Abbott Diem. He is survived by his son Tim and his partner Diane, of Wilmington, North Carolina, and by his daughter Melanie, of Branford, Connecticut. Throughout his life, John loved classical music, reading, and animals, particularly cats. He took great pride in his last feline companion, Symphony, and his grand-pets, including Tim and Diane's cat Bosley and Melanie's dogs Teddy and Benjamin and cat Luca. The family appreciates all of the care provided by the staff of Arden House in Hamden. Visiting hours will be held on Saturday, June 16 at Beecher & Bennett, 2300 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, from 2-4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Meriden Humane Society, 311 Murdock Avenue, Meriden, CT, 06451.
Please accept our condolences on your father’s death. We were neighbors for several years and shared a love of animals.
Sincerely,
Rich and Debbie Bettley
Mather St.
Hamden, Ct.