Obituary of Rene F. L'Abbe

Rene F. L’ Abbe, 81, of Peabody, died Tuesday March 28, 2006 at the Hunt Nursing and Retirement Home in Danvers. He was the beloved husband of Dorothy (Hughes) L’ Abbe with whom he shared 55 years of marriage. Mr. L’ Abbe was born in Salem, October 27, 1924, son of the late Alfred and Leonie (Thibautot) L’ Abbe. Brother to 13 siblings, father to 3 and grandfather to 7. He was raised and educated in Peabody. He resided in Peabody for most of his life. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on May 13, 1943 and served as a Private with CO M 103rd Inf. Regt. and saw battle in New Guinea, Philippine and Luzon theaters of operation. He was honorably discharged on January 30, 1946. Mr. L’ Abbe was employed at Remis Industries in Peabody, driving a leather truck for over 45 years before retiring in 1986. He was a member of the VFW Fidelity Post 1011 and a brother in the Knights of Columbus Leo Council 508 in Peabody, bowling in their league for 40+ years. He loved sports and enjoyed playing tennis, golfing. In his younger years he was a downhill and water skier. He was also a huge fan of the Patriots, Bruins and Red Sox teams. Rene and Dot traveled extensively in their RV and loved going snowmobiling, boating and especially loved vacationing on Thompson Lake in Maine where they made many lifelong friends. His hobbies were woodworking, gardening, cryptoquotes and jigsaw puzzles. Rene was a kind, gentle and loving father to his daughter Judy Farinelli and her husband Bill of Danvers, his son Bill and his wife Kathy of Beverly and his son Eddie and his wife Ginny of Peabody. Grampy was adored by his 7 grandchildren, Christina, Matthew, Laura, Sandra, David, Jessica and Rebecca; He also leaves his siblings, Ronald L’ Abbe of Beverly, Raymond L’ Abbe of FL, Robert L’ Abbe of Peabody, Jean Hebert and Rose Faulkner both of Danvers. His siblings, Patric, Valere, Maurice, Richard, Paul, William, Lorraine Walsh and Doris Perry pre deceased him. He was a true family man, who was the happiest when making others smile. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him. His funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday April 1, 2006 from the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home at the 20 Church St. location Peabody followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in St. John the Baptist Church, 16 Church St., Peabody. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Visiting hours Friday 4 to 8 p.m. Burial in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to St. John the Baptist School, 17R Chestnut St., Peabody MA 01960.