Joseph J. Abbondondola

Portland - Joseph J. Abbondondola, 90, of Portland, died Friday, August 12, 2016, at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on November 9, 1925, in Revere, Massachusetts, a son of Giuseppe and Maria (Mottola) Abbondondola, Italian immigrants from the Campania region of Italy. Joseph was drafted into the Army Air Corps during World War II and proudly served in England and Germany. He then continued his military career with the newly formed U.S. Air Force. During his twenty year career he served throughout the United States and in Canada. He was most proud of his role as an instructor on the Atlas F Missile System and his active role in preparing the Atlas missile that launched John Glenn into space. In 1949 he met the love of his life, Patricia Mae Dean, at a USO dance in Bangor, Maine, while stationed at Dow Air Force Base. They were married at St. Anthonys Catholic Church in Revere, Massachusetts, on November 27, 1949, and were married for 52 years. After retiring from the Air Force, Joe worked as an expediter for Automatic Sprinkler Corp. in Maine and California, and in the security field in the San Francisco Bay area. He possessed a keen, detail oriented mind and followed current events and Republican Party politics. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed watching all sports, especially the Boston Red Sox. He also enjoyed playing cards, small engine repair and gardening. He took great pride in the accomplishments of his children, grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. If you knew Joe, you knew that his granddaughter had been to Antarctica, his grandson had a brewery and his granddaughter-in-law had a PhD! Joseph was predeceased by his loving wife, Patricia; his sisters, Angelina, Grace, Rose, Florence, Theresa, and Concetta; and his brothers, Anthony and Carmine. He is survived by son, Anthony Abbondondola of Skowhegan; daughter, Patti-Jo Swan and her husband Warren of West Baldwin; grandson, Matthew Swan and his wife Meaghan of Farmington; granddaughter, Sarah Swan of West Baldwin, and great grandson Adrian Swan. Services will be private. Arrangements are by Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland. To view Josephs memorial page or share an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com. Memorial donations may be made to Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, Hospice of Southern Maine, 180 US Route 1 STE 1, Scarborough, ME 04074.