Abbott W. White, 96, of Wallingford, formerly of Norwalk for 55 years, died on April 18, 2021. Abbott was born in Beverly, MA to the late Edmund J. White and Gladys V. Cogswell White. He graduated from Bloomfield High School in 1943. He served in the U.S. Army Air Force from 1943 to 1946. In 1949, Abbott graduated from Teachers College of Connecticut (now CCSU). Later, he earned a Master’s degree in Administration and Supervision of Industrial Arts Education from The University of Connecticut, and a Sixth Year Diploma from the University of Bridgeport. He began his teaching career in 1950 at Williamstown High School in Williamstown, VT. He taught at New London High School (1951-1957), and West Rocks Junior High School in Norwalk until his retirement (1957-1984).
Abbott married Elizabeth Hatch White in 1950. They had four children and settled in Norwalk. He was a longtime member of Grace Episcopal Church in Norwalk, serving as a member of the vestry, lay reader, and the Brotherhood of St. Andrew, including serving as a Secretary of the State Assembly of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew. Abbott was active in several industrial arts associations, including acting as the State Fiscal Agent for the Connecticut- American Industrial Arts Student Association, past president of the Connecticut Industrial Arts Association, and a member of the New England industrial Arts Teachers Association, and the American Industrial Arts Association.
Abbott was also very active in the Norwalk- Wilton Chapter AARP. He served as president, recording secretary, and editor of the newsletter. For many years, he taught AARP 55 Alive safe driver’s classes throughout Connecticut. Abbott also enjoyed reading, gardening and listening to opera on the radio. He moved from Norwalk to Pond Ridge at Ashlar Village in Wallingford in 2012, where he enjoyed continuing to use his green thumb caring for his plants.
Abbott is survived by his daughters, Margaret Phillips (Abe) of Forest, VA, Janice White of Torrington, and Joan Tangney of Wallingford, and his son David White (Kathleen) of Laconia, NH; grandchildren Jonathan Phillips (Marie), Deborah Vereen (Morris), Benjamin Mager (Mariah), Daniel Mager, Michael Tangney (Erin), Melissa Tangney, and Jeffrey White (Jenny); great grandchildren Hunter and Brandon Phillips, Aurora, Kiera, and Tristan Mager, Jackson White, and Pierce Tangney. He is also survived by a brother Kenneth White of Vernon.
In addition to his parents, Abbott was predeceased by Betty, his beloved wife of 64 years, a brother Alton White and his wife Lucy, brother in law Charles Hatch, sister in law Beatrice White, son in law Alfred Tangney, and infant granddaughter Elizabeth Mager.
The family wishes to extend its gratitude to Yao Agbodan for providing devoted care and companionship to Abbott for the past few years.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Magner Funeral Home, Norwalk. Services will be private. Interment will be at Willowbrook Cemetery, Westport.
Donations may be made in Abbott’s memory to a charity of one’s choice.