Home Depot workers honor late customer

HAMILTON TWP., N.J. (WPVI) -- When a local handyman and a regular customer at the Home Depot in Hamilton Township, Mercer County passed away, the people closest to him wanted to build a memorial in his honor.

Bill Abbott died April 4th from liver cancer at age 59.

"That was his second home. He was always going to Home Depot," said his wife, Bettie.

He was a regular at the store on Route 130 and when his niece went there to buy some things to create a memorial for Bill, the associates volunteered do it and constructed a 3 foot by 4 foot tribute to their loyal customer, made of wood bolts and rope.

"It came together really good and, in the end, it was a very emotional story when his niece came in and saw it," said kitchen dept. supervisor Joe Pelletteri.

"I think it's very kind it's just heartwarming that they did this tribute for Bill," said Betty Sadowski. "I hope he's looking down and saying 'Wow.'

Home Depot workers say they've never done something like this before, but said Bill Abbott was the kind of customer who made an impression. They say he always brought a big smile with him along with his list of things to pick up.

"He was here every day, one store or around the region, wherever he was working he would have been here," said store manager Drew Travia.

Looking at an orange associate's apron with a message from the store, Bill Abbott's sister, Joan, says the entire family is grateful for what the Home Depot workers did.

"Really probably didn't know my brother that well, just to see him, that they would honor him in this way? We are just totally indebted," she said.

As everyone begins adjusting to life without Bill--including his beloved dachshund, Ginger, his widow Betty is happy to share the story of the Home Depot workers' memorial that stood next to Abbott's casket during his funeral.

"Let people know that there is kindness and not just grief and horror in this world," she said.