Wayne Reed Abbott, 78, of Boothbay Harbor, died Feb. 9, 2016 at the Maine Medical Center in Portland.

He was born in Damariscotta on Nov. 20, 1937 to Fred Taylor Abbott and Grace S. Reed.

On his maternal side, he was a descendant of Col. Andrew Reed, who was instrumental in establishing the first permanent settlement in Boothbay. He grew up in Boothbay Harbor, and following graduation from Boothbay Region High School, he entered a nursing career which would last for 58 years.

He received training at both Maine Medical Center and Mass. General Hospital in Boston. He then worked at Brigham and Women’s/The Brookline Hospital, and Mass. General. He returned to Boothbay to finish his career at St. Andrews Hospital.

His passion in life was travel; one of the highlights being a cruise on the SS France in the early 1970s, and later when she was renamed the Norway. He went to the Caribbean each year until the late '90s. He capped off his travels with an around the world cruise in 1998.

He was predeceased by his partner of 56 years, Reginald Ballard.

He is survived by his cousins, Larry H. Reed of Walpole and Dr. Stephen D. Reed of Wiscasset and Ft. Myers, Florida. He also leaves many dear friends in the Boothbay area. At his request there will be no funeral. Interment will be in the spring at the Greenlawn Cemetery in Wiscasset.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main Street, Damariscotta, ME 04543. Condolences, and messages for the family, may be expressed by visiting: www.StrongHancock.com.