ABBOTT RAND 89Abbott Rand, age 89 of Needham and Gloucester, past president of the Philip A Rand Company, of Newton died on Christmas Eve, 10 days prior to his ninetieth birthday. Mr. Rand joined his family business in 1936, and except for a tour of duty with the Army during WW11, he was employed continuously by Philip A Rand Company until his retirement at age 76 in 1989.The company was founded in 1911 by Abbott’s father to furnish wire rope, chain and various wire products to industrial customers throughout New England. A lifelong sailor, Mr. Rand had been an active member of the Eastern Point Yacht Club in Gloucester, where he spent many summers. He had served as both treasurer and deacon for the Congregational Church of Weston and was a member of Norfolk Lodge AF&Am of Needham for more than 50 years. He was also an active member of the Shriners Aleppo Temple of Wilmington. Abbott and his wife celebrated their fifty-sixth wedding anniversary in 2002. They were residents of Weston for 35 years after having both grown up in Needham. They moved to North Hill in Needham in 1996. Mr. Rand leaves his wife Jean (Davidson) Rand, Two sons, James A Rand and his wife Irma of Petoskey, MI also William C Rand and his wife Jennifer of Groton, MA. He was pre-deceased by his daughter Elizabeth Rand Church and is also survived by five grandchildren, Sven, Jerome, Adam, Emily and Austin. He was also pre-deceased by his sister Katherine and brothers Nathaniel and Sherburne.A memorial Service will be held at 2:00 PM on January 2nd at the Congregational Church of Weston, 130 Newton St. Weston MA. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Congregational Church of Weston or to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 44 Binney St. Boston, MA 02115. Arrangements by the Eaton Funeral Home of Needham