Thomas E.Abbott;79;of 643 Graham St.;Belle Vernon;died Wednesday;Nov.11;1998;in Jefferson Hospital. He was born Dec.21;1918;in New Eagle;a son of the late Robert H.and Ruth Ann Grundy Abbott. He was a resident of the Belle Vernon community since 1946. Hhe was a member of St.Sebastian Roman Catholic Church;Belle Vernon. He and his wife operated Abbott’s News Store;which was located on Broad Avenue in North Belle Vernon;retiring in September 1982 after 20 years in business. He was a U.S.Army veteran of World War II;and a member of the Belle Vernon American Legion Post 659 and belle Vernon Area Veterans of Foreigh Wars Post 699. He was a former school director for the Belmarette School District for four years. He was also a school bus driver for the Belle Vernon Area School District. He was a life member of the North Belle Vernon Volunteer Fire Department and a member of the Belle Vernon Golden Ages Assembly. He was an attendent at the Leonard J.Parzynski Funeral Home for several years. Survivors include his wife of 56 years;Virginia Marie Llewellyn Abbott;ond daughter and son-in-law;Carole and Michael Wassilchalk of Belle Vernon;one sister;Mrs.Robert (Dorothy) Elgin of Harrison City;and three grandchildren;Mrs.Christian (Alice) Breckenridge of St.Clairsville;Ohio;and Mark Wassilchalk and Donna Wassilchalk;both of Belle Vernon. Friends will be received Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.in the Leonard J.Parzynski Funeral Home;626 Broad Ave.;Belle Vernon.