Gerard F. Abbett October 25, 1948 - January 27, 2022 Loving husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend. Gerard F. Abbett was born on October 25, 1948, in Newport, Rhode Island to Dorothea L. (Corrigan) and Theodore H. Abbett. Our sweet, sweet Gerard was called to God on January 27, 2022. Growing up he lived in many places including Germany, where his father served with the US Navy. As a Navy brat, he went to 17 different schools before he was able to attend all 4 years of high school at Cambridge High and Latin in Cambridge, Mass. After graduation he volunteered to join the US Army. He was sent to Vietnam, where he became his Captain's radio chief and right-hand man. Sergeant Gerard F. Abbett served with B Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry, 199th (Separate) (Light) Brigade (Old Guard) in the Mekong Delta, Republic of South Vietnam from August 1967-August 1968. Sergeant Abbett was combat wounded in October 1967 & in July 1968 and received two Purple Hearts. In his early thirties, Gerard settled in Tampa, FL. There he touched the lives of so many and developed life-long friendships. He was a passionate Veteran & Military advocate and was involved with many associations for the betterment of all. He had a special attachment for Hillsborough County Veterans Park where he dedicated his time alongside many friends, helping to make the park what it is today. He was a lifetime member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart (Chapter 535, Lakeland, FL) and the Disabled American Veterans (Chapter 4). Gerard was the Post Commander of the American Legion USS Tampa Post 5 at the time of his passing. He was a past President of Brandon Posts and Parks. For the past 15 years he was on the Executive Council Staff for Operation Helping Hand, volunteered at the Fisher House and served as an Executive Board member of the Community Roundtable. Working with the Junior ROTC and the Sea Cadets was another one of his passions. As a longtime volunteer at the James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, his outgoing, warm, genuine, witty personality earned him a host of friends. Gerard was a dedicated and loving husband and father. He is survived by his wife Lorraine (Lori), his daughter Nicole (Nikki), his brothers Theodore (Karen), Leo (Stephanie), his sister Francine Elliott (Jim) and his many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to JROTC Programs at Hillsborough County Veterans Park (Tampa, FL), Military Order of the Purple Heart (Chapter 535, Lakeland, FL) or the American Legion USS Tampa Post 5 (Tampa, FL). The funeral services will be held on February 22, 2022, at The Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL at 11:30am. A Celebration of Life will take place afterwards at 2pm at the Hillsborough County Veterans Park.