Obituaries

Michael Peter Abbott, age 85, of Scranton, died New Year’s Eve in the Hospice Unit of Mercy Hospital after an illness. Born in Scranton on October 8, 1922, he was the first born son of seven children of Lebanese immigrants Peter and Abbey Ackourey Abbott. His wife Anna Nardelli Abbott, whom he affectionately called his “Dutchy”, preceded him in death, they were married for 57 years. His father’s second wife, Saada Abbott, survives.
He was a product of the Great Depression and cared deeply about not wasting anything. He was a graduate of Scranton Tech High School, class of 1941. He remained close to his classmates and served on many reunion planning committees. He worked at Fairmont Creamery Co. as a refrigeration mechanic and then in the Philadelphia shipyards prior to his enlistment in the Navy. He served as a machinist’s mate refrigeration third class petty officer at the Antigua Naval Air Station, British West Indies and a MM(R) Second Class Petty Officer at the Naval Air Station in San Juan, Puerto Rico. After the war, he worked in exhaust maintenance at General Electric for 18 years. When G.E. left the area, he joined RCA and worked there for 18 years until his retirement. He served as a Union steward and was highly respected by his peers as as management.
He was a devout Maronite Catholic and a lifelong communicant of St. Ann Maronite Church where he served as a senior usher and was a member of its Holy Name Society. He belonged to the American Legion Post 920, Lincoln Heights.
He listened to the daily mass on T.V., and he had a strong devotion to St. Theresa of the Little Flower. His family and friends were a joy and a comfort to him throughout his life. He had a sharp mind for figures and prided himself in his ability to always be able to balance his checkbook to the penny. He was heroic in his suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and keart ailments. He was exceptional in his ability to smile through all of his pain. To his family, he was an exemplar model to follow for the way he persevered and led his life. Everyone who knew him commented on his wonderful personality and remarked about his selflessness. He will be sadly missed. His beloved daughter, Abbey, preceded him in death in September, 2006.
Surviving are his two daughters; Andrea Vincenti with husband Richard of Westbrookville, N.Y., and Michele McDade with husband Mark E., of Scranton, his six grandchildren; Tracy Krentz of Middletown, N.Y., Nicole James and Richelle Vincenti, both of Westbrookville, N.Y., Marci Barnansky with husband Kenneth and Michael J. McDade, all of Scranton, and Mark Peter McDade with wife Jennifer of Dunmore, and six great-grandchildren; Kaitlin, Kori, and Bobby Krentz, and Nicholas and Michael James, all of N.Y., and Katherine Anna Barnansky of Scranton.
He is also survived by two brothers; Charles (Chuck) Abbott of Lancaster and John (Jack) Abbott of Budd Lake, N.J., and four sisters; Rhoda Jennes of Schnectady, N.Y., Ann Smith Bryant and Theresa Bourassa, both of Scranton, and Marie Bourassa of Selinsgrove.
Funeral services will be Saturday at 10am from the Durkan-Cuff-Kearney Funeral Home, 125 N. Main Ave., West Scranton, with both funeral liturgy and commital services at 10:30am in St. Ann Maronite Church, corner of Price St. and N. Sumner Ave., West Scranton, to be celebrated by the Rev. Francis J. Marini, Pastor. Interment will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery.
Friends may pay their respects at the funeral home Friday 5-8pm. Incense services will be held at 7:30pm.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Ann Maronite Church Building Fund, 1320 Price Street, 18504.