Joseph 'Bud' Abbott Poor

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Joseph "Bud" Abbott Poor, age 94, passed away peacefully at Hope Hospice, Providence, Rhode Island on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2020.

Born in Providence, he was the son of the late Joseph V. Poor and Grace Tallman Poor.

A graduate of East Providence high school, class of '43, he served his country in WWII as a machine gunner and received the Purple Heart and Combat Infantry Badge among other citations.

Upon returning from the European Theater he resumed his studies at Brown University where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering in 1948.

His 54 year career in engineering began in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1948.

On June 30, 1951, his "one true love", the late Alice M. Kimball, also class of '43, said "I Do" and they began married life in Minnesota.

The next 50 years were busy raising four children and living in four states: Minnesota, Illinois, Wisconsin, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Joe and Alice spent 27 happy years in Ironwood, Michigan. He worked for his longtime friend, "Pete" Peterson at Gogebic Mechanical. He was an active member of Westley United Methodist church, loved to fish, bowl, golf and was a lifetime member of the Elks Club.

In 2003 they moved back "home" to be closer to their children and Alice's brother Gene.

Above all, anyone who knew Joe Poor knew he loved to laugh and had an impish sense of humor.

Joe was a role model of fatherhood, a loving husband, and an all around good guy and will be missed by all who knew him.

He leaves his loving children, Bruce O. Poor of Charlottesville, Virginia, Merrilee A. Poor of Providence, Nancy J. Poor of Rumford, and Brian E. Poor and his husband John Ventilato of Westerly. He was the grandfather of Daniel (Amy) Poor of Williamston, South Carolina. He was the father-in-law of the late Judith Poor and grandfather of the late Scot A. Poor.

A memorial service will be held at Newman Congregational Church, 100 Newman Ave, Rumford, RI, at 11a.m. on March 11. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Hope Hospice Care of Rhode Island, 1085 N Main St, Providence, RI 02904.

Arrangements have been entrusted to J.H. Williams & Co. Funeral Home. For online messages of condolence, kindly visit jhwilliamsfuneralhome.com.