Kenneth Abele obituary: Kenneth Abele's Obituary, Albany
In Memory Of
Kenneth Abele
1918 - 2015
In Memory Of
Kenneth Abele
1918 - 2015
Sarasota Florida---Kenneth W. Abele, 96, died peacefully Thursday March 19, 2015 at his home in Sarasota. Ken was born in New Rochelle, NY in 1918. He was the son of the late Frederick and Ada Wagner Abele.
Ken graduated from New Rochelle High School, and after attending General Motors Institute in Detroit, Michigan he settled in Albany, NY and married his wife of 63 years, the late Thelma Miller Abele. At that time Ken was employed by William Miller at Millers Garage and Machine Shop on Everett Road in West Albany. This was a business established by Thelma’s grandfather in 1872; the company later would be named Abele Tractor and Equipment Company. Their company played an important role in many building projects; including the Empire State Plaza, the New York Thruway and the network of arterial highways in New York State. Ken was proud of his achievements in the farm and commercial equipment business. He was a member and past president of Eastern New York Equipment Dealer Association. With his retirement in 1983, the business was positioned to become one of the major heavy construction equipment businesses that have attained an international presence. The company that he and his family built carries on Ken’s sprit.
Ken and his late wife Thelma were patrons of many organizations. These include the Boy Scouts, Salvation Army, the Red Cross, and the NYS Teacher’s college at Albany.
Ken was a long time member of several organizations. He joined the Albany Rotary Club in 1958 and was a past president. He was a member of the West Albany Fire Company No. 1 for 72 years where he and his Father in law (William Miller) built two pieces of fire apparatus and donated fuel for emergency vehicles. He was also a member of the Albany Garden Club, the Masons and Toastmasters. He served on the curriculum advisory board for the New York Agricultural College at Cobleskill and BOCES of Colonie. Ken was a trustee of Westminster Presbyterian Church of Albany for several years. He was also on the Board of Directors for many years at Camp Agawam in Raymond, Maine, a boy’s camp he attended and loved in his youth that was also attended by his sons and grandsons.
Ken enjoyed his retirement in Florida where he attended the Sarasota Sunrise Rotary Club and the Church of the Palms. He loved classical music and theatre. He and his wife Ruth Thelma were very devoted to their Pug dogs Harry and Charlie.
In addition to his parents, his wife, Thelma Miller Abele and his brother Warren Abele predeceased him.
He is survived by his wife Ruth Thelma Abele of Sarasota, Florida, sisters Norma Abele of New Rochelle, New York and Zelda Gordon of San Francisco, California, sons Warren (Pamela) Abele of Troy, New York and Rod (Sharon) Abele of East Greenbush, New York, grandchildren Janice (Eric) Cohen, Susan Kelley, Peter Abele, Matt Abele, Jeffrey (Kristine) Abele, great grandchildren Reece and Regan Abele, step-son David(Robin), step-granddaughters Gina and Tiffany.
Relatives and friends are invited to a memorial service at Westminster Presbyterian Church located at 85 Chestnut Street, Albany on Saturday May 16, 2015 starting at 1:00 PM. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to West Albany Fire Company No. 1, 113 Sand Creek Road, Albany, NY 12205, Mohawk and Hudson River Humane Society, 3 Oakland Ave., Menands, NY 12204 or charity of your choice.
Ken graduated from New Rochelle High School, and after attending General Motors Institute in Detroit, Michigan he settled in Albany, NY and married his wife of 63 years, the late Thelma Miller Abele. At that time Ken was employed by William Miller at Millers Garage and Machine Shop on Everett Road in West Albany. This was a business established by Thelma’s grandfather in 1872; the company later would be named Abele Tractor and Equipment Company. Their company played an important role in many building projects; including the Empire State Plaza, the New York Thruway and the network of arterial highways in New York State. Ken was proud of his achievements in the farm and commercial equipment business. He was a member and past president of Eastern New York Equipment Dealer Association. With his retirement in 1983, the business was positioned to become one of the major heavy construction equipment businesses that have attained an international presence. The company that he and his family built carries on Ken’s sprit.
Ken and his late wife Thelma were patrons of many organizations. These include the Boy Scouts, Salvation Army, the Red Cross, and the NYS Teacher’s college at Albany.
Ken was a long time member of several organizations. He joined the Albany Rotary Club in 1958 and was a past president. He was a member of the West Albany Fire Company No. 1 for 72 years where he and his Father in law (William Miller) built two pieces of fire apparatus and donated fuel for emergency vehicles. He was also a member of the Albany Garden Club, the Masons and Toastmasters. He served on the curriculum advisory board for the New York Agricultural College at Cobleskill and BOCES of Colonie. Ken was a trustee of Westminster Presbyterian Church of Albany for several years. He was also on the Board of Directors for many years at Camp Agawam in Raymond, Maine, a boy’s camp he attended and loved in his youth that was also attended by his sons and grandsons.
Ken enjoyed his retirement in Florida where he attended the Sarasota Sunrise Rotary Club and the Church of the Palms. He loved classical music and theatre. He and his wife Ruth Thelma were very devoted to their Pug dogs Harry and Charlie.
In addition to his parents, his wife, Thelma Miller Abele and his brother Warren Abele predeceased him.
He is survived by his wife Ruth Thelma Abele of Sarasota, Florida, sisters Norma Abele of New Rochelle, New York and Zelda Gordon of San Francisco, California, sons Warren (Pamela) Abele of Troy, New York and Rod (Sharon) Abele of East Greenbush, New York, grandchildren Janice (Eric) Cohen, Susan Kelley, Peter Abele, Matt Abele, Jeffrey (Kristine) Abele, great grandchildren Reece and Regan Abele, step-son David(Robin), step-granddaughters Gina and Tiffany.
Relatives and friends are invited to a memorial service at Westminster Presbyterian Church located at 85 Chestnut Street, Albany on Saturday May 16, 2015 starting at 1:00 PM. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to West Albany Fire Company No. 1, 113 Sand Creek Road, Albany, NY 12205, Mohawk and Hudson River Humane Society, 3 Oakland Ave., Menands, NY 12204 or charity of your choice.
Sarasota Florida---Kenneth W. Abele, 96, died peacefully Thursday March 19, 2015 at his home in Sarasota. Ken was born in New Rochelle, NY in 1918. He was the son of the late Frederick and Ada Wagner Abele.
Ken graduated from New Rochelle High School, and after attending General Motors Institute in Detroit, Michigan he settled in Albany, NY and married his wife of 63 years, the late Thelma Miller Abele. At that time Ken was employed by William Miller at Millers Garage and Machine Shop on Everett Road in West Albany. This was a business established by Thelma’s grandfather in 1872; the company later would be named Abele Tractor and Equipment Company. Their company played an important role in many building projects; including the Empire State Plaza, the New York Thruway and the network of arterial highways in New York State. Ken was proud of his achievements in the farm and commercial equipment business. He was a member and past president of Eastern New York Equipment Dealer Association. With his retirement in 1983, the business was positioned to become one of the major heavy construction equipment businesses that have attained an international presence. The company that he and his family built carries on Ken’s sprit.
Ken and his late wife Thelma were patrons of many organizations. These include the Boy Scouts, Salvation Army, the Red Cross, and the NYS Teacher’s college at Albany.
Ken was a long time member of several organizations. He joined the Albany Rotary Club in 1958 and was a past president. He was a member of the West Albany Fire Company No. 1 for 72 years where he and his Father in law (William Miller) built two pieces of fire apparatus and donated fuel for emergency vehicles. He was also a member of the Albany Garden Club, the Masons and Toastmasters. He served on the curriculum advisory board for the New York Agricultural College at Cobleskill and BOCES of Colonie. Ken was a trustee of Westminster Presbyterian Church of Albany for several years. He was also on the Board of Directors for many years at Camp Agawam in Raymond, Maine, a boy’s camp he attended and loved in his youth that was also attended by his sons and grandsons.
Ken enjoyed his retirement in Florida where he attended the Sarasota Sunrise Rotary Club and the Church of the Palms. He loved classical music and theatre. He and his wife Ruth Thelma were very devoted to their Pug dogs Harry and Charlie.
In addition to his parents, his wife, Thelma Miller Abele and his brother Warren Abele predeceased him.
He is survived by his wife Ruth Thelma Abele of Sarasota, Florida, sisters Norma Abele of New Rochelle, New York and Zelda Gordon of San Francisco, California, sons Warren (Pamela) Abele of Troy, New York and Rod (Sharon) Abele of East Greenbush, New York, grandchildren Janice (Eric) Cohen, Susan Kelley, Peter Abele, Matt Abele, Jeffrey (Kristine) Abele, great grandchildren Reece and Regan Abele, step-son David(Robin), step-granddaughters Gina and Tiffany.
Relatives and friends are invited to a memorial service at Westminster Presbyterian Church located at 85 Chestnut Street, Albany on Saturday May 16, 2015 starting at 1:00 PM. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to West Albany Fire Company No. 1, 113 Sand Creek Road, Albany, NY 12205, Mohawk and Hudson River Humane Society, 3 Oakland Ave., Menands, NY 12204 or charity of your choice.
Ken graduated from New Rochelle High School, and after attending General Motors Institute in Detroit, Michigan he settled in Albany, NY and married his wife of 63 years, the late Thelma Miller Abele. At that time Ken was employed by William Miller at Millers Garage and Machine Shop on Everett Road in West Albany. This was a business established by Thelma’s grandfather in 1872; the company later would be named Abele Tractor and Equipment Company. Their company played an important role in many building projects; including the Empire State Plaza, the New York Thruway and the network of arterial highways in New York State. Ken was proud of his achievements in the farm and commercial equipment business. He was a member and past president of Eastern New York Equipment Dealer Association. With his retirement in 1983, the business was positioned to become one of the major heavy construction equipment businesses that have attained an international presence. The company that he and his family built carries on Ken’s sprit.
Ken and his late wife Thelma were patrons of many organizations. These include the Boy Scouts, Salvation Army, the Red Cross, and the NYS Teacher’s college at Albany.
Ken was a long time member of several organizations. He joined the Albany Rotary Club in 1958 and was a past president. He was a member of the West Albany Fire Company No. 1 for 72 years where he and his Father in law (William Miller) built two pieces of fire apparatus and donated fuel for emergency vehicles. He was also a member of the Albany Garden Club, the Masons and Toastmasters. He served on the curriculum advisory board for the New York Agricultural College at Cobleskill and BOCES of Colonie. Ken was a trustee of Westminster Presbyterian Church of Albany for several years. He was also on the Board of Directors for many years at Camp Agawam in Raymond, Maine, a boy’s camp he attended and loved in his youth that was also attended by his sons and grandsons.
Ken enjoyed his retirement in Florida where he attended the Sarasota Sunrise Rotary Club and the Church of the Palms. He loved classical music and theatre. He and his wife Ruth Thelma were very devoted to their Pug dogs Harry and Charlie.
In addition to his parents, his wife, Thelma Miller Abele and his brother Warren Abele predeceased him.
He is survived by his wife Ruth Thelma Abele of Sarasota, Florida, sisters Norma Abele of New Rochelle, New York and Zelda Gordon of San Francisco, California, sons Warren (Pamela) Abele of Troy, New York and Rod (Sharon) Abele of East Greenbush, New York, grandchildren Janice (Eric) Cohen, Susan Kelley, Peter Abele, Matt Abele, Jeffrey (Kristine) Abele, great grandchildren Reece and Regan Abele, step-son David(Robin), step-granddaughters Gina and Tiffany.
Relatives and friends are invited to a memorial service at Westminster Presbyterian Church located at 85 Chestnut Street, Albany on Saturday May 16, 2015 starting at 1:00 PM. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to West Albany Fire Company No. 1, 113 Sand Creek Road, Albany, NY 12205, Mohawk and Hudson River Humane Society, 3 Oakland Ave., Menands, NY 12204 or charity of your choice.
Services & Gatherings
Service
Saturday, May 16, 2015 at 1:00 PM
Westminster Presbyterian Church located at 85 Chestnut Street, Albany
Colonie Area (518-456-4442) is assisting the family
Colonie Area (518-456-4442) is assisting the family