Charles Tony Abbott

passed away on Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at The Fir Acres Adult Assisting Home on Bainbridge Island, Washington. He was born on May 3, 1921. He was 90 years of age.Mr. Charles G. Abbott was born in New York City, New York on May 3rd, 1921 to Mr. Joseph F. Abbott and Laura C. Griswold. As a youth, he attended the Buckley School on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and preparatory school at Deerfield Academy. He attended Williams College, in Williamstown, MA graduating with a degree in Economics. Tony, as his family and friends called him, enjoyed track & field while a student, and, throughout the rest his life was an avid skier, sailor and racquet sports enthusiast. After college, and serving in the US Air Force at Wright Patterson Field during World War II as a radio test engineer, he was hired by American Airlines and worked in their reservations department. During his tenure at American Airlines, he was part of the IBM/AAL team that developed the SABRE system which became the standard for all airline reservations systems. His interest in computer technology took him next to Arthur Anderson & Co. where he specialized in telecommunications and computer consultancy for major firms in the US and abroad. Tony rose to the level of senior partner at Arthur Anderson before leaving to form his own telecommunications consulting company ending his career as a freelance telecommunications consultant. He served as the President of the Society of Telecommunications Consultants during the final years of his career. He retired to Bainbridge Island, Washington, with his wife Babs in 1989. Tony and Babs Abbott became respected fixtures in Bainbridge Island social and philanthropic life giving generously of their time and resources to the local community. Tony and Babs joined St. Barnabas Episcopal church shortly after arriving on Bainbridge and Tony came out of retirement to help with administrative duties in the Parish office.Perhaps Tony can best be described by the motto above the door at his first alma mater, "Honor et Veritas" (Honor and Truth). These are the values by which he lived his life. Charles G. Abbott was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Florence (Babs) Abbott and brother Peter. He is survived by his son Jay and daughter-in-law Darlene Kordonowy (Bainbridge Island), son Joe (Wolcott, CO), daughter Laine and son-in-law Merv Lapin (Vail, CO), son Hal (Ft Lauderdale, FL), son Charlie and daughter-in-law Michelle Mar (San Pedro, CA) and four grandchildren, Chelsea (Lawai, HI), Beau (Vail, CO), Brady, and Jordan.Services are planned for St Barnabas Episcopal Church, Bainbridge Island, Washington the afternoon of Friday, December 30, 2011 at 1:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Kitsap County, Interfaith Caregivers, St Barnabas Episcopal Church, Bainbridge Island, or a favorite charity. Please sign the online Guest Book for the family.