Frank Abbott, 90, contract negotiator

FRANK H. ABBOTT, a prominent Philadelphia lawyer who represented the management side in many labor negotiations, died Nov. 15. He was 90 and lived in Rehoboth, Del., and previously lived in Berwyn, Chester County.

The only labor union he represented was the International Association of Motion Picture Operators and Theatrical Stage Employees. A onetime movie projectionist, he was a longtime member of the union.

Abbott was born in East Lansdowne, Delaware County, graduated from West Catholic High School, Villanova University and Temple University Law School.

After graduating from Villanova with a degree in electrical engineering, he worked at RCA during the final stages of the development of radar and the early stages of the development of television.

When World War II broke out, he joined the Navy. He helped train naval aviators in the use of radar and eventually was deployed to the Pacific Theater. He served on the aircraft carrier USS Hancock and attained the rank of lieutenant commander.

After the war, Abbott attended Temple University Law School, graduating in 1949. He worked nights as a projectionist at the old Trans Lux Theater, on Chestnut Street near 15th.

He joined the law firm of Schnader, Harrison, Segal & Lewis. Among the companies and organizations he represented in labor negotiations were United Parcel Service, Coca-Cola, Independence Blue Cross and Blue Shield, the Delaware Valley Hospital Council, Wawa Dairies and the National Basketball Association.

He also developed a subspecialty in hospital law, which led to his service as chief executive of Mercy Catholic Medical Center for a number of years.

An avid golfer, he was a member of the Merion Golf Club, Aronimink Golf Club and Rehoboth Beach Country Club He also was a member of the Union League.

He was married for 63 years to the late Elisabeth Dunigan Abbott. He is survived by three sons, Francis H. Abbott Jr., Dr. Terence O. Abbott and Richard D. Abbott; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Services: Memorial service 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Edmond's Church, 21st Street and Snyder Avenue. Interment will be private. Donations in his name may be made to Mercy Health Foundation, One W. Elm St., Conshohocken, PA 19482.