Obituary of John J. Austin

Mr. John J. Austin, 88, of Center Street, Fort Plain, New York died early Monday, July 30, 2012 at his daughter's home. Born on January 22, 1924 in Fort Plain, NY, he was the son of Charles Austin and Mabel Wick Austin. He was a graduate of Fort Plain High School, class of 1942 and a lifetime resident of Fort Plain. Mr. Austin was an Aerospace Engineer for General Electric in Utica from September 8, 1953 until his retirement in May 1986. Mr. Austin is a Veteran of the US Army-Air Corp, serving from 1942-1946. He was a communicant of Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church in Fort Plain. Mr. Austin was the Head Alter boy for the former St. James Roman Catholic Church. He was a Little League Baseball Coach and an animal lover. He also loved camping. On January 6, 1945 in Shrewsbury, England, John was married to Margaret R. Scott. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Mary Sdrewski, Marie Austin, Mabel Murphy, Katherine VanArsdale; brothers, Edward Austin, Charles Austin and Peter Austin. Mr. Austin is survived by his wife, Margaret Scott Austin of Fort Plain, NY; daughter, Patricia Austin Klemme of Palatine Bridge, NY; son, John J. Austin, Jr. and his wife, Dorothy of Ashland, MA; 3 grandchildren, Jonathan C.S. Klemme of Ithaca, NY, Megan P. Rae Klemme of Japan, John J. Austin, III of Natick, MA; 3 great-granddaughters, Caroline M. Austin, Charlotte M. Austin, Emily M. Austin; several nieces, nephews and cousins. A Prayer service will be held on Wednesday, August 1, 2012 at 9:30am at the Chapel of Gray-Houghtaling & Smith Funeral Home, 34 Center Street, Fort Plain, NY followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00am at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church, Reid Street, Fort Plain, NY with Father Dennis Murphy officiating. The family will receive relatives and friends on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 from 4-7pm at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Fort Plain Cemetery with Military Honors by the US Army. In lieu of flowers contributions in memory of Mr. John J. Austin may be made to the Ayres Memorial Animal Shelter, Inc., 133 Hilltop Road, Sprakers, NY 12166.