Francis "Floyd" Abell, 67, of Hollywood, MD passed away May 7, 2010 at St. Mary's Hospital surrounded by his family and friends. Born January 18, 1943 in Leonardtown, MD he was the son of Henrietta Thompson Abell and the late John Louis Abell, Jr.

He was the loving husband of the late Stephanie Cusic Abell whom he married on March 21, 1964 at St. John's Catholic Church in Hollywood, MD. Stephanie preceded him in death on March 1, 2010.

Floyd is survived by his siblings, Peggy Lacey, John Abell, III (Gloria), and Linda Kirby (Bill), all of Hollywood, MD. He was a father figure to many of his nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.

In addition to his wife and father, he was preceded in death by his sister, Betty Lou Wathen, and his brother-in-law, Francis Lacey.

Floyd was a 1961 graduate of Leonardtown High School. He worked for the County until being drafted into the U.S. Army. He served in Vietnam where he earned the Medal of Merit. After his military service, he worked as a stonemason for the Architect of the Capitol, from which he retired. Also after his military service, he joined the 3rd and 6th District Volunteer Rescue Squad. Four years later, he became one of the founding members of the Hollywood Volunteer Rescue Squad and served as their first president. After serving as a rescue squad volunteer for ten years, Floyd began to serve his community in another way. He put into operation his own weather station/service which included a weather line that provided updates and daily forecasts. He was one of the first WRC-TV4 Weather Watchers. He was a member of the Atlantic Coast Observation Network, a certified Skywarn Spotter for the National Weather Service, and a member of various other weather organizations. Floyd also enjoyed writing poetry, listening to bluegrass, creating CD's, crabbing and fishing at his wife's family home on the Patuxent River. Floyd was a bright ray of sunshine in the lives of so many people-even to those who did not know him personally. While he was very serious about serving and protecting the public with his trustworthy knowledge of the weather, he was also a man with a charming sense of humor, a clever wit, and a big heart.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, May 11, 2010 from 5:00 – 8:00 P.M. in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home Chapel, Leonardtown, MD, where prayers will be said at 7:00 P.M. A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, May 12, 2010 at 10:00 A.M. at St. John Francis Regis Catholic Church in Hollywood, MD with Fr. Raymond Schmidt officiating. Interment will follow at the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be Timmy Mattingly, Christopher Cusic, Patrick Woodburn, Jr., Michael Miedzinski, Jr., Steven Abell, Jr., and Brian Allshouse. Honorary Pallbearers will be Harley Cook, Marty Brumback, Bill King, John Zyla, Bobby McGill and Charles (Honkey) Johnson.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. John's Catholic Church and School 43950 St. John's Road, Hollywood, MD 20636.

Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home.