Obituary of William F. Abt

William F. Abt Jr., 94, passed away peacefully June 8, 2017 in Wave Crest Health & Rehab Center in Melbourne, FL. Bill was born at home on March 8, 1923 to William Frederick and Caroline (Hoefer) Abt of Schenectady, NY. Growing up, he helped out with the family business: Woodlawn Dairy. Graduating from Mont Pleasant High School in 1941, he accepted an apprenticeship with General Electric Company, Schenectady. In November of 1942, Bill enlisted in the Army ultimately serving fourteen months in Europe with the 3rd Army (947th Quartermaster Railhead Company). He achieved the rank of Corporal and was honorably discharged January of 1946. After the war, Bill returned to work with GE serving as Foreman, Planning Specialist, Production Control Supervisor, and finally Manager of Shop Operations before his retirement after over forty years with the company. On July 19, 1947 he married Beverly J. Pahl and they had two sons: Eric and Leif. In his golden years, Bill worked part-time as a Code Enforcement Officer for New York State. After his wife’s death, Bill moved with his son, Leif, to Indian Harbor Beach, FL to be close to his eldest son, Eric, and only grandchild, Bonnie. In the Sunshine State, he chauffeured his son, Leif, to his volunteer position/job at the local animal shelter and dusted off his dancing shoes for the occasional evening out. In 2006, he moved to Lamplighter Village (Melbourne) and became a regular at the Wednesday night Pinochle games. Bill will be remembered as a man who was quick with a laugh and a wink as well as an active community member. He was a life member of several organizations, including: Schenectady General Electric Management Association, General Electric Apprentice Alumni Association, East Glenville Fire Company, Hudson-Mohawk Volunteer Firefighter’s Association, Volunteer Fire Police Association of the State of New York, Inc., and VFW Post 4660.  He was a past President of the Glenville Firefighter’s Association and the East Glenville Fire Department Fire Police (for whom he served over 30 years as Captain). He was a former member and chairman of the Schenectady County Fire Advisory Board, former Director-at-Large of the Volunteer Fire Police Association of the State of New York, and former Director of the Hudson-Mohawk Volunteer Firefighter’s Association. Bill was also a member of the following organizations: NYS Fire Marshals and Inspection Association, Firemen’s Association of New York, General Electric Quarter Century Club, Moose Lodge, and the Annie Schaffer Senior Center in Schenectady. When he was not working or volunteering, Bill could be found at the lanes as a league bowler, putting about on the greens, or cutting a rug at the local dance hall. In fact, his last moments were spent listening to swing music with his daughter-in-law. In addition to his wife, Beverly, Bill was predeceased by his parents, and sister, Rose (Abt) Ryan. He is survived by his two sons, Eric (Peggy) and Leif who also resides at Wave Crest Health & Rehab Center (1415 S. Hickory St. Melbourne, FL 32901); one granddaughter, Bonnie (Jesse) Rupp; his still-spry 99 year-old sister, Marguerite (Abt) Leonard; brother, Jim (Fudge) Abt; as well as several nieces and nephews. Bill will be buried at Memory Gardens in Albany, NY. Memorial donations may be made to East Glenville Fire Department (433 Saratoga Rd. Schenectady, NY 12302) or South Animal Care Center (5100 W. Eau Gallie Blvd. Melbourne, FL 32934).