RUMFORD POINT – Herman W. Abbott, 83, died Sunday, April 19, at his residence on the Whippoorwill Road in Rumford Point.

He was born on May 19, 1925, in Rumford, to Chesley and Clara (Farrar) Abbott. He attended schools in Rumford, graduating from Stephens High School in 1943. After graduation he joined the Navy. Before serving in the Pacific area, he went to the Navy diesel school in Detroit, Mich. While stationed there he met Midge Cosner, his future wife, and the love of his life. He received an honorable discharge as a Motor Machinist Mate 2nd class in 1946. He and Midge married Sept. 20, 1947, in Detroit, before moving to Hale.

Herman worked at Glover Machine Co., until 1951, when in January of that year he moved his family to Detroit, Mich. While living there he worked in numerous machine shops. In 1958, Herman moved his family back to Maine, settling in Rumford Point. He became a volunteer firefighter that same year until he was forced to retire in 1985, due to his age.

He worked as a machinist and was treasurer of the Woodworkers Federal Credit Union at Diamond National until 1974. He left there to buy Glover Machine Co., where he worked until his retirement in 1993.

For the next 10 years, Herman and Midge traveled extensively by truck with camper in tow, including three trips to Alaska. He and Midge saw much of the U.S., and one of their favorite places was the Crazy Horse Memorial, in South Dakota. He loved his family, traveling, playing practical jokes and enjoyed a full and rich life. On July 30, 2003, his heart broke when he lost his beloved wife, with whom he is now reunited.

Herman was a nature lover, calling the great outdoors God’s church. He often donated money to the Nature Conservancy.

Survivors include two daughters, Gloria Ellingwood and husband, John, of Waterboro, Christine Abbott and husband, Herbert Campbell, of Mexico; a son, Daniel Abbott and wife, Monica Wood, of Portland; four grandsons, Daniel Moore and wife, Jenna, of Denver, Colo., John Ellingwood Jr. and wife, Sandy, of Waterboro, Jason Weston of San Diego, Calif., Jeffrey Weston of Denver, Colo.; two granddaughters, Wendy Truesdale and husband, Adam, of Waterboro, Jennifer Gurney and husband, Gary, of Rumford; five great-grandsons, Shawn Jernigan of Winterport, Joey and Corey Jerigan of Waterboro, Iain Gurney of Rumford, Jared Ellingwood of Waterboro and Maxton Moore of Denver, Colo.; he also leaves behind many nieces and nephews who will miss him dearly.

He was predeceased by his parents; his beloved wife Midge; two sisters, Ruth Lane of Boothbay Harbor and Dorothy McPherson of Rumford Point; and a brother, Norman Abbott of Mexico.

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