George Lindell Abbott
1941 - 2024
Obituary
George Lindell Abbott, 83, passed away on September 20, 2024 after a period of declining health. He was born in 1941 in Rutland, Vt, to Frederick George Abbott and Eva Marie (Fields) Abbott.
He graduated from Mount St. Joseph’s Academy and received his bachelor’s degree from St. Michael's College in Winoski, Vt. He then moved to Syracuse, NY where he spent the next six decades. He started his career in the Syracuse University Library in 1964. In 1966 he received his Masters of Library Science degree and married Sandra Baker Abbott. His career at Syracuse University spanned over four decades during which time he rose to the position of Head of Media Services at Syracuse University Library. He also served as Building Manager for the new Bird Library from 1972 until 1987. When he retired in 2005, it was noted “During his 40 plus years at Syracuse University Library, George Abbott has been at the vanguard of the technological revolution, introducing to the library many of the services now taken for granted”. Upon retirement, he was honored with the designation of Librarian Emeritus.
In addition to his work at SU, George also worked part-time as a projectionist since his college days in Vermont. Most recently he worked with the IMAX shows at MOST (Museum of Science and Technology) in Syracuse. He was also very involved in professional organizations at the national and international levels. He attended conferences and served on committees for both the American Library Association and the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. He was a recipient of the Watson Davis Award for Service from the Association for Information Science & Technology.
George was predeceased by his wife, Sandra, in 2021. He is survived by his son, Brian Abbott of Syracuse; his sister, Marilyn and husband, James Richardson of Hudson, NH; and his sister-in-law, Wanda and husband Robert Eagleton of Phoenix, Arizona.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 24 at 10 am at Holy Cross Church, DeWitt. Calling hours will be Monday, September 23 from 4-6 pm at Fairchild & Meech DeWitt Chapel, 3690 Erie Blvd East, DeWitt. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, DeWitt.
In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to the Community Library of DeWitt and Jamesville, in his memory.