21 June 1912 – 2 July 2010
Austin left us peacefully on July 2. He was born and raised in Stockport, England. He joined the R.A.F. in 1935 and became an Engine Technician, a trade he had a natural talent for. He served throughout the U.K. and also in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan as part of a wartime training program. After his release from the R.A.F., he moved to Canada in 1947. He loved Canada. As a qualified motor mechanic and motorcycle enthusiast, he rode and worked across most of Canada. After a few years, he arrived on Vancouver Island where he opened up a garage in Horne Lake. Eventually he moved on to Victoria, where he met and married Elsie Hillier. He took on a job at Esquimalt Dockyard where he progressed to Marine Engineer and became a Canadian Citizen. When he retired, he involved himself in volunteer work for various causes. Austin loved dancing, golf, bowling, motorcycles, dogs (they always came to him), tinkering in his basement and a pint of Guinness. He is predeceased by his wife, Elsie and four sisters, Genevieve, Margaret, Annie and Marie and his nephew, Anthony. He is survived in England by his niece, Angela Jones; nephew Michael Booth (Sarah) and Anita Booth and their extended families; his stepson, Dennis Hillier in Comox, BC. Austin was a quiet man with a gentle, quick witted compassionate manner. He had many many friends in his journey through life. Always a respected gentleman and always there to help.
Requiem Mass will be celebrated in ST. PATRICK’S CHURCH on Tuesday, July 13th at 12:10 Noon. Flowers are gratefully declined; donations in memory of Austin would be appreciated to Catholic Development and Peace/Haiti, 10 St. Mary Street, Unit 420, Toronto, Ontario, M4Y 1P9. Please make cheques payable to “Development and Peace”. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mccallbros.com.
A life well lived. We who knew this wonderful man will forever miss him.
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Christian Booth
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Mike and Sarah Booth and Children If I can quote from comments In my e-mail to Dennis last week ` Austin was a fixture , always there , quietly in the background ` ` that he left us peacefully , no fuss, no fanfare was a reflection of the man and his life ` ` always respected , he could have no enemies just many many friends and acquaintances on his journey ` .
Memories ? Visits to the Pavilion Gardens in Buxton , Lyme Park in Cheshire , the Navigation Inn in Buxworth with Elsie who was a fan of Coronation Street , tales of living it rough in the depths of Derbyshire , meeting Reg his ex-RAF pal in Buxworth , playing card packs from Reno , maple leaf cufflinks …………
Great though that he will share some part of himself between his adopted homeland and a return to his native roots . Welcome home !
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Rebecca Robinson Although Great Uncle Austin lived in Canada I have fond memories of his visits to England when I was growing up and also of the last time we met. I will never forget the excitement I felt as a child when I wrote and posted airmails to Austin and waited at Manchester airport to see his plane flying over head. I will always remember Austin as a gentle and kind person. I can only hope that my little boy grows into such a special man.
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Jeannine & David Sutherland and Family Dear Grandpy and Great-Grandpy,
We will miss you.
Love from the Sutherlands,
Jeannine
Dave
Laura
Andrea
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Doug & Eileen Grant We were Austin’s neighbours in Harling Point and visited with Austin daily when we walked our dog. Austin always greeted us with friendliness and enthusiasm and Austin’s yard became a favourite destination for our dog.
We call the turn- off on Penzance St. Austin’s Corner and think of him warmly each time we use it.Doug and Eileen Grant
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Barbara Hunter Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time. We have fond memories of Austin’s many trips to Sydney.
Regards from the Australian connection
Margaret Burns
Barbara and Malcolm Hunter
Jean Burns
Marie and Noel Ryan
and all the family and friends here.
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john & lillian ronald We live in Harling Point. On many of our walks through the neighbourhood, we spoke with Austin who was often in his garden when we came by. He always greeted us warmly and enthusiasticlly. We always found him to be the softly spoken and gentle man as he is described in his obituary. We often commented on what a friendly, upbeat person he was. We miss him too.
Lillian and John Ronald
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Doug Grant Austin
just to say good-bye to a friend and good neighbour at Oak Bay lodge
Doug Grant
My memories of Great Uncle Austin are filled with love and happiness. Whenever he was discussed, that’s all I felt. A gentle man, softly spoken, wore a smile and always made me feel comfortable when in his company.
When he last visited England I had the opportunity to share a pint of the black stuff with him at the Cheshire Line pub. It was a wonderful couple of hours and time that I hold to dear to me. I left him there with my Mum & Dad when my friends came to collect me to take me to the football. My team being Manchester City were playing Manchester United that day and we thrashed them! Not only was Austin a good man, he was my good luck charm that day,
I look forward to being with him back in Blightly to celebrate his life at his final resting place.
Bye Bye Great Uncle Austin – i’ll miss you