Ernest "Ernie" James Abbott

Cumberland - Ernest “Ernie” James Abbott, 62, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 15, 2018.

He was the beloved husband of Deborah A. (Lefebvre) Turgeon.

Born in Pawtucket, a son of John Robert Abbott, Jr. and his wife, Nancy of The Villages, Florida and the late Eleanor Howes (Messier) Gorman, he resided in Cumberland most of his life.

Ernie was a graduate of Cumberland High School and Mt.

Wachusett Community College where he received a degree in Communications.

He served in the United States Air Force for over ten years and had lived in England, Germany and the Washington, DC area.

After leaving the service, he worked many years for the Arc of Blackstone Valley serving as an advocate as well as working in a group home for handicapped adults.

Ernie had a heart for disadvantaged children and adults and was most recently a Special Education educator in the Attleboro School Department, working at Brennan Middle School until retiring in 2012.

Besides his family, his passion in life was sports, specifically basketball.

He loved playing, coaching, and refereeing for many years with his good friend Andy Avakian.

Ernie was a referee for the CYO and had coached baseball, basketball and soccer in Cumberland for many years.

He was a huge fan of all area professional teams.

Later in his life he re-discovered his love for broadcasting, and spent countless hours producing shows on Spreaker.com.

This activity brought him a great deal of happiness and he was able to bless and encourage many people with his shows.

He also had a hobby of searching and collecting information related to Abbott family genealogy.

Besides his wife, father and stepmother, he leaves two sons, Raymond Turgeon and his wife, Sarah, of Woonsocket and Hunter Lefebvre of Cumberland; a brother, John David Abbott and his wife, Chris, of High Point, North Carolina and a sister, Jane Cilli and her husband, William, of Rumford.Ernie was a gracious, unassuming, and kind husband, son, brother, father, uncle and friend.

He will be missed by his family and anyone touched by him during his life.Relatives and friends are invited at attend visitation on Saturday, September 22nd from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the WILLIAM W.

TRIPP FUNERAL HOME, 1008 Newport Ave., Pawtucket, followed by Military Honors at 3:45 p.m. and Services at 4 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts to Hope Hospice and Palliative Care RI, 1085 North Main St., Providence, RI 02904 would be appreciated.