William J. ‘Bill’ Abela, 86, of Red Hook
RED HOOK » William J. (Bill) Abela, 86, of Red Hook, N.Y., passed away peacefully on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, with his family by his side.
Bill was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. to parents Emmanuele and Anna (Canavan) Abela, on Aug. 17, 1931.
From an early age and through high school, Bill helped support his family by delivering blocks of ice for his neighbors’ ice boxes, working in a dog crematorium and as a TV repairman. After graduating from high school, Bill worked briefly as a Technician at Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome, NY. He was then employed with IBM in Kingston and Poughkeepsie for 34 years, working his way up to the position of Manufacturing Engineer. During his tenure, he was active in the development of IBM’s personal computer and later commercial iterations.
Bill was proud of his membership in IBM’s Quarter Century Club and his achievement and recognition as a Certified Electrical Inspector. He enjoyed sports all his life and spoke fondly of his time as a little league baseball coach with his son’s Silver Lake Dairy Team. He was an avid Yankee and Giants fan. Bill was a member of the Lake Katrine Rod and Gun Club, although most who knew him felt it was a camera he should have carried on his journeys into the woods, for he seldom used his gun. Toward the end of his time, Bill expressed that his “life and style of living have been fantastic!” For this we are grateful.
Bill married his childhood sweetheart and love of his life, Audrey Isabella Marianna in April of 1955, in Manhattan. Audrey predeceased him on Feb. 20, 2006 after more than 50 years of marriage. They were inseparable in life, reunited in death and missed by all.
Bill is survived by his children; Kerrie Abela of Germantown, N.Y., William Abela of Rhinebeck, N.Y., Jamie and her husband Bill O’Farrell of Red Hook, N.Y., and Christine Abela of Greenbrae, Calif.; his devoted grandchildren Mitchel Black, Samantha and Mackensie Abela, Connor, Rachel, Liam and Ava O’Farrell, and William Audie Abela; his companion Helen Lyle; his nieces and nephews; and Gracie the cat.
In addition to his wife, Bill was predeceased by his siblings Mary J. Crispo and John P. Abela.
Friends may call at the Burnett & White Funeral Home on Sunday, Nov. 19th from 2 to 4 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, Nov. 20th at 11 a.m., at St. Christopher’s Church in Red Hook. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Bill’s memory to the American Kidney Fund, 6110 Executive Blvd, Suite 1010, Rockville, Md. 20852.
Arrangements are under the direction of Burnett & White Funeral Homes, 7461 S. Broadway, Red Hook, N.Y.
For directions or to sign the online guestbook, please visit: www.BurnettWhite.com