Richard E. Abbott

Richard Eugene Abbott, a retired firefighter for the Town of Dedham, died peacefully at his home in Dedham surrounded by his family.  He was 89.  Dick was born May 23, 1936 in Boston, Massachusetts, the son of Eugene Prescott and Lillian Susan (Brennan) Abbott. He grew up in Dedham and enlisted in the US Army in 1954 and served for three years until his honorable discharge in 1957.  After his military service Dick earned his Associate Degree from Mass Bay Community College and in 1966 he began a 36 year career as a firefighter for the Dedham Fire Department, retiring in 1999.  Dick was a member of the VFW Post 2017 in Dedham and marched in their State Championship award winning color guard, as well as being a member of the Dedham American Legion Post 18.  For over 30 years he and his wife Margot enjoyed their annual trips to Aruba where they could reconnect with their "Aruba Family" of friends. Dick is survived by his wife Margot (Zinnack); his two sons, Richard Michael Abbott, and his wife Betsy, of Dedham, and Kevin Robert Abbott, and his wife Cristianne, of Sharon; his daughter, Susan Corinne Abbott, and her partner Scott Rogers, of Haverhill; his three sisters, Arlene Caruso of Wrentham, Gail Scott of Hampton, New Hampshire, and Mary Sue Sheppard, of Haverhill; as well as his four grandchildren, Cody, Annie Joy, Tiago, and Sofia.  He was the brother of the late Robert Abbott.   Visiting hours will be held Wednesday, April 22nd from 4 to 7 pm at the Folsom Funeral Home, 87 Milton Street, Dedham.  Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral Thursday, April 23rd at 11 am at the funeral home followed by interment with military honors in Brookdale Cemetery in Dedham.  In lieu of flowers donations to Tunnels to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, New York, 10306 or to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.