Joseph J. Abbott, 88, a resident of the Katherine Luther Residential Health Care & Rehab Center in Clinton, formerly of New York Mills, passed away Tuesday, October 6, 2015, at the nursing home. Joseph was born in Wilkes-Barre, PA on March 31, 1927, the son of Joseph J. Sr., and Nellie (Kelley) Abbott. He came to Utica as a young boy and was a graduate of Utica Free Academy. Joseph honorably served in the US Air Force, where he served two tours of duty in Japan and one in France and retired as Senior Master Sergeant after 23 years of dedicated service. On July 19, 1950, Joseph married Carmella E. Zasa at St. Mary of Mount Carmel Church in Utica, a loving and devoted union of 65 years. He was a parishioner of Our Lady of the Rosary Church in New Hartford, a member of the Moose Lodge and American Legion Post 1113 in Whitesboro. Joseph was an avid sportsman and enjoyed fishing, golf, boxing, racquet ball and handball. He will also be remembered as an excellent cook and was food service supervisor of mess hall operations during his time in the service. Mr. Abbott is survived by his beloved wife, Carmella; two daughters and sons-in-law, Victoria J. and Paul Meuser of Loda, IL and Jeanne Marie and Scott Stone of Merrimack, NH; two sons, Leonard J. Abbott of Utica and Joseph A. Abbott of Chittenango, NY; 6 cherished grandchildren, Paul Joseph Meuser and his wife Natasha of St. Joseph, IL, Scott Meuser of Fisher, IL, Ernie Talerico and his wife Kelly of NY Mills, Michele Whissel and her husband Greg of Merrimack, NH, Jennifer Stone of Merrimack, NH and Specialist Ryan Stone, US Army stationed in Germany; 6 adored great grandchildren, Domenique Talerico, Lance Meuser, Antonio Talerico, Christiane Whissel, Gabrielle Whissel and Emerson Whissel as well and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two sisters, June Rozanski and Dorothy Dygert and two brothers, Earl Abbott and Leo Abbott; Mr. Abbott's funeral will be held on Saturday, October 10, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Rosary Church in New Hartford, where his Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. His Rite of Committal and Burial, with military honors will follow in Calvary Cemetery in Utica. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the Heintz Funeral Home, 1517 Whitesboro St., Utica, Saturday morning, from 9:00-10:00 prior to the funeral. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Rescue Mission of Utica, 212 Rutger St., Utica, NY 13501 in Joseph's memory. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.