It is with great regret that we announce the unexpected passing of our beloved husband, father, and grandfather on August 6, 2004 at 81 years of age due to sudden heart failure. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Blanche; daughters Paulette and Nancy (Ken) Sanford; grandson Jeff (Debbie); grand-daughter Lisa (Doug) Engstrom, Jr.; great grand-children, Mason and Dayna Sanford, and Colin Engstrom; sisters Annie, Libby, Deannie, Ardis; brothers Harry and Thorten residing in Toronto, Ont. Born on January 13, 1923 in Saleam, Nova Scotia, Abbs was the 8th youngest of 12 children. After living in Halifax and Toronto, Abbs arrived in Fort Landley, BC with his family in 1952, before eventually settling in 100 Mile House, BC. His first job in BC was in a mill at Greeny Lake for Charlie Groundwater and then as a logging truck driver with Dever Logging. Although a truck driver at heart, Abbs also worked as a crane operator on the pipeline from Halifax to Lac la Hache with West Coast Transmission and as a long-haul truck driver with Consolidated Transport. Abbs was the owner and operator of McAloney Trucking until his retirement in the late 1980s, but remained involved in Maritime Trucking with his daughter Paulette, until 1992. Abbs is predeceased by his parents, Eanos and Alice McAloney, two sisters, Dorothy and Millie, and three brothers, Fred, Stanford and Vaughan. A celebration of Abbs’ life will be held on Thursday, August 12, 2004 at 2:00 p.m. at the United Church in 100 Mile House, BC, with a tea to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the BC Children’s Hospital in Abbs’ name.
Gramps, loved forever and remembered always. Finally taking his coffee break.