Dr. Abel was born in Utica, New York, on April 19, 1947. He served in the United States Air Force at Eglin Air Force Base, Ft. Walton Beach, Florida. He received his undergraduate degree in exercised physiology from Florida State University. He earned his Masters and internal medical degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University/Medical College of Virginia. He performed his residency and a cardiology fellowship at the Ochsner Foundation Hospital in New Orleans.
He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Honorine Russo Abel; daughter Leah Wells (Johnny); sons William Abel (Marla) and Ashton Abel (Trisha and grandchildren Rivers and Luca Abel); step-daughter Victoria Guarisco Boagni (Tony and step grandchildren John Luke, Austin, and Mathew); step-sons Luke Guarisco (Lisa and step grandchildren Caitlin and Connor) and Jonathan Guarisco (and step grandchildren Jack and Joseph); and his siblings William “Bill” Abel (Joan), Suzanne Abel, Dorene Langston, Lilly Duda and Amy Abel.
He is preceded in death by his parents William and Doris Breton Abel.
Dr. Abel leaves a legacy of family and medicine. He loved his family, his work family at Prevention Plus clinics, and his patients. Beyond that, he enjoyed meaningful friendships and golf.
A memorial mass will be held at St. Stephen Catholic Church, Berwick, Louisiana on November 4, 2024 with visitation from 12:00 to 2:00 pm and mass at 2:00 pm. Reception to follow at the Petroleum Club.
The family would like to give a special thanks to the VAD team at Ochsner Hospital for their wonderful care and friendship.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Society for Preventative Cardiology.
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