Timothy Edward Abblett

Born on February 24, 1947, in Salem, Ohio, he was the son of Walter Dudley Abblett and Betty Jean Stevenson.

Timothy grew up in Salem, Ohio and was an avid tinkerer, builder and fixer-of-all-things from an early age, including building at the age of 14, his own outboard motorboat he called “The Gamble”, also known as the “Flying Potato Chip”. He graduated from Alliance High School and attended Ohio University, before beginning his career as a draftsman, and then a licensed professional mechanical engineer. His family and friends knew Tim to be thoughtfully reserved with a dry-wit, loving demeanor and always willing to lend a capable, helping hand.

With his first wife of 25 years, Carol Ann Spicer, Tim raised their three children in Ohio and then Florida.

On April 29, 1994, Tim married Maureen Jeannette Rivera in Ormond Beach, Florida. Together they shared their always-welcoming and loving home with their all-together seven children and stepchildren in Orlando, Florida for over 32 years.

As a Professional Engineer, Tim worked for multiple firms in Ohio and Florida before finding a home at Walt Disney World, where he served as a Senior Engineer within Ride and Show Engineering for 17 years. He loved solving problems, building things that lasted, and turning ideas into reality. His creativity and ingenuity led him to invent numerous specialized testing devices and tools that helped fellow engineers do their jobs more effectively. These inventions became affectionately known as “Abblettars,” and are still being used today, a testament to both his talent and the respect he earned from those who worked alongside him. Tim was immensely proud that his work helped keep countless guests stay safe while creating moments of wonder and happiness for families from around the world. One of his greatest professional joys was knowing that his efforts brought smiles and cherished memories to countless people of all ages.

More than his passion for work done well, Tim was a loving husband, father, family member and friend to the many people he welcomed in his home. A master carpenter and craftsman, Tim, expressed his love and valuation of others through the molding and shaping of wood. When words were insufficient, Tim prized others through beautiful furniture, bowls, vases, pool cues, or the building and repairing of their homes, cars and anything else that needed to be fixed.

A devoted parishioner of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, and of several prior congregations where Tim served as Chairperson of the building committee, Deacon and Elder. In his community he served as an Assistant Scout Master in Cub and Boy Scouts, an Assistant Little League Baseball coach, and was always willing to help family, friends and neighbors in need.

If not hosting or entertaining one of his many children, grandchildren, friends and extended family, it was a safe bet you could find Tim in his workshop. Though he might be coated with the dander of freshly cut sawdust, Tim would soon take you by his meaty, meticulous hands and flash you his warm smile. Though he might stray a bit off-color on occasion, or let loose his blunt “realism,” you never doubted Tim’s heart, his devotion to not just detail, but the well-being of those he loved.

He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Maureen Abblett; his children, Todd Abblett (Chanteau) of Pauline, South Carolina, Mitch Abblett (Lisa Northman) of Boston, Massachusetts, and Emily Lennon (Daniel) of Greenville, South Carolina; and his stepchildren, whom he loved as his own children: Tricia Dietrich (Adam), Bruce Rivera (Orianny), Joseph Rivera (Barbara), all of Orlando, Florida, and Jeannette Vega (Victor) of Huntsville, Alabama. He is also survived by nineteen grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and three siblings: Judi Nannah of Salem, Ohio, Ron Keenan (Kathy) of Gallipolis, Ohio, and Tom Keenan of Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

He is predeceased by his parents; Walter Abblett and Betty Stevenson, stepmother, Loeta “Pete” Abblett, and his brother Michael Abblett, with whom the family trusts he is now reunited.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, in Orlando, Florida, followed by a privately held interment at Chapel Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (michaeljfox.org) in honor of Tim Abblett. Those wishing to honor Tim spiritually may offer Masses for the repose of his soul.

Mailing address for the Foundation: Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163-4777.

The many building projects he built brought joy to countless people. His work is now complete. May he rest in peace.