SOUTH GLENS FALLS
Sheffield “Sheff” I. Abbott, age 91, passed away on Friday, October 3, 2014 at the Home of the Good Shepherd in Moreau.

Born on April 4, 1923 in Glens Falls, he was the son of the late Michael and Susan (Hoffis) Abbott.

Sheff graduated from South Glens Falls High School and granted early release to join the war effort. He joined the U.S. Army Air Corp and was stationed in England as a Corporal with the 754th Bomber Squadron, of the 458th Bomber Group. He served in the Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, and Rhineland air offensive campaigns.

Following Sheff’s honorable discharge in 1945, he graduated from Clarkson University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He went on to work for Mobil Oil in Albany and then partnered with his brother, John, to open Sheff and John’s Lunch in South Glens Falls. They went on to purchase Abbott’s Restaurant in South Glens Falls from their brother, Francis, and operated it for many years. Sheff retired from the restaurant in July 2001 at the age of 78.

On April 27, 1952 he married, Lorraine W. Wichser, in the South Glens Falls United Methodist Church. They celebrated 60 years of marriage, love and friendship before her passing in December 2012. They were both life-long members of the South Glens Falls United Methodist Church.

Sheff was a member of American Legion Mohican Post 553 in South Glens Falls; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elk’s, Lodge 81 in Queensbury; and formerly with the South Glens Falls Volunteer Fire Company.

When not working at the restaurant, Sheff would spend his time with family, and he was looking forward to the arrival of his fourth great grandchild in December of this year. He enjoyed bowling, travelling in the United States with his wife, watching the races at the Saratoga flat track, gardening, and cheering on hockey teams at the Glens Falls Civic Center. He was an avid fan of the Adirondack Red Wings and a season ticket holder for over 20 years.

Those close to Sheff know he was a modest person with a big heart. He was a kind, giving and caring individual full of compassion and care for others.

In addition to his parents, Sheff was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Lorraine W. Abbott; his brothers, George, Francis and Abraham; and his sisters, Ann Harrington, Helen Wilkins, Martha Johnson, Katherine “Kay” Abbott, and Mary Abbott.

Survivors include his daughter, Ann Smith and her husband, Edward, of Gansevoort; his granddaughter, Nicole Buckley, and her husband, Scott, and their children, Brandon, Aiden and Emma of North Reading, Massachusetts; his grandson, Travis Smith and his wife, Joanne, of Gansevoort; his brother, John Abbott, and his wife, Patricia, of South Glens Falls; as well as many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand nephews, and cousins.

Friends may call on the family between noon and 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 11, 2014 at the M.B. Kilmer Funeral Home, 136 Main Street, South Glens Falls, NY 12803. Online condolences may be posted at kilmerfuneralhome.com.

A funeral service will the held at the funeral home immediately following calling hours at 2 p.m. with the Rev. William Church, associate pastor of Pine Knolls Alliance Church in South Glens Falls, officiating.

Burial will take place at Southside Cemetery in South Glens Falls following the service.

Sheff’s family would like to thank the staff of Terrace at the Glen in Queensbury for their care and compassion during Sheff’s time with them; a special thanks to Glen Anderson, PA of the Hudson Headwaters Health Network Homeward Bound program; and to the 2nd floor staff at the Home of the Good Shepherd for their kindness and care while Sheff over the past year.

Donations in Sheff’s name may be made to South Glens Falls Volunteer Fire Co., Inc., P.O. Box 1003, South Glens Falls, NY 12803 or Moreau Emergency Squad, 1583 State Route 9, Fort Edward, NY 12828.

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