Community Hospice House in Merrimack, NH. Born November 19, 1928 in Bare,
Vermont. Mr. Abbey was the son of Robert C. and Helen Warren Abbey. Mr.
Abbey and his family resided in Montpelier, VT, Manchester, NH, Southington,
CT and South Walpole, MA before moving to Bermuda. A veteran of the Korean
War, he served his active duty in the United States Army from 1947 until
1953 and, from 1953 to 1971 in the active reserves, retiring as Major. From
October 1953 until September 1971 Mr. Abbey was employed by Nationwide
Mutual Insurance Company of Columbus, Ohio as a Claims Adjustor in Vermont
rising to District Claims Manager in Dedham, MA. From September 1971 through
May 1986, Mr. Abbey worked for Cameron & Colby Company of Boston, MA
culminating in his roles as President of the First State Insurance Company,
President, Director and Vice Chairman, Cameron & Colby Company. From May,
1986 until his retirement in July 1989, he was the President and Managing
Director of the Abbey Overseas Group, Ltd. Hamilton, Bermuda. Mr. Abbey was
a past board member and president of the Boston Chapter, CPCU, a former
director of the Insurance and Financial Services Institute of Northeastern
University, a former board member and vice president of NAPSLO and former
president of the Bermuda Insurance Institute. In addition, he was a former
member and chairman of the public relations committee, International Company
Division, Bermuda Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Abbey had a great love of the
arts. He was a former chorus member, and vice president of the Bermuda
Philharmonic Society Chorus, a former board member, president and choral
singer of the Keene Chorale, and a member of the choirs at the United
Methodist Church in South Walpole, MA, Emmanuel Methodist Church, South
Hampton, Bermuda, the United Church of Christ in Keene, NH and the First
Congregational Church in Manchester, NH. Mr. Abbey also performed with the
New Greeley Singers in Pelham, NH Mr. Abbey, an avid painter of landscapes
and wood carver, was also a former member of both the Bermuda Art
Association and the Art Association at Dockyards, Bermuda. He also authored
two books, Vignettes From a Vermont Abbey and Bermuda, An Expatriate's View.
He was a member and past master of the Colombian Masonic Lodge, A.F. & A.M.
in Boston, the Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Nashua, New Hampshire and
Alleppo Temple, AAONMS in Wilimington, MA. He was a charter member of the
Capital City Jaycees, Montpelier VT, and a member of the American Legion,
Henry J. Sweeney Post 42 in Manchester, NH, the Keene Rotary Club and the
Reserve Officers Association of the United States. He was also a life member
of the Army Security Agency Korea Association and the Middlesex, VT
Historical Society.
Mr. Abbey is survived by his wife of fifty-one years, Marion G. (Coburn) Abbey of Litchfield; a son, Darryl Abbey and his wife, Gail and their children, Alexander and Margaret of Holliston, MA; a daughter, Linda Sarapalli and her husband Cedric of Norwood, MA; two brothers, Clifton Abbey of Goose Creek, South Carolina and Roger Abbey of Riverside, CA; a sister, Joyce Leblanc of Barre, VT. Mr. Abbey will be laid to rest in the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen, NH after a private committal service on Thursday. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, December 5th at 11:00 AM in the Sanctuary of the First
Congregational Church, 508 Union Street, corner of Hanover Street,
Manchester, NH. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to
the Building Fund of the First Congregational Church, 508 Union Street,
Manchester, NH 03104. The Goodwin Funeral Home, MANCHESTER, NH is in charge of the arrangements.
Published in the Boston Globe from 12/2/2003 - 12/3/2003
Chaplain's Message:
As we remember Chet Abbey and his family in our prayers, let us ask Almighty God to comfort we who mourn...Chet fought the good fight and has now won the prize of eternal life. Chet served all who knew him with determination and devotion to duty, just as he served the ASA in Korea, and his country for many years. Condolences may be sent to his widow, Mrs. Marion G. Abbey, 69 Naticook Ave., Lichfield, NH 03052.
God be with you, dear Chet. We in ASAKorea shall miss you and mourn your death.
Rev. Charles "Preacher" Knappenberger, Chaplain, ASAKorea