Leo W. Austin, Jr.

Leo W. Austin, Jr., 80, lifelong resident of Brookline, NH, died September 14, 2011 at his home, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Brookline on September 2, 1931, a son of Leo W. Austin, Sr. and Eva M. (Hamilton) Austin. Prior to his retirement, he had been employed by Bemis Bag Company, Pepperell, MA for 40 years. Mr. Austin was an avid outdoorsman and loved hunting, fishing, gardening, bee keeping and spending time with his family barbecuing in the back yard. In addition, Leo enjoyed volunteering at bingo. He was a member of the Brookline Historical Society and the Kilduff/Wirtanen Post #74, American Legion, Brookline. Mr. Austin was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War and was honorably discharged in 1954 with the rank of Sergeant. He was predeceased by his wife, Frances (Wood) Austin; a son, Scott Austin; two brothers, James Austin and John Austin. Family members include three daughters, Deborah Bahia of Beverly, MA, Diane Austin of Rye, NH and Sharon Austin of Nashua, NH; three sons, Charles Austin and his wife, Alyssa of Bennington, NH, Leo Austin III and Matthew Austin, both of Brookline; eight grandchildren; five great grandchildren; three sisters, Dorothy Joki of Litchfield, NH, Shirley Johnson and her husband, Zeke of Nashua, Eileen Austin of Hillsborough, NH; two brothers, Richard Austin and his wife, Carol of Center Harbor, NH, Frank Austin and his wife, Laurie of Bennington, NH; many nieces and nephews. Visiting hours are Friday, September 16th from 5:00-8:00 pm in the Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford. A graveside service with military honors will be held on Saturday at 11:00 am in Pine Grove Cemetery, Pepperell Road, Brookline. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Brookline Historical Society, “Barn Raising”, P.O. Box 5955, Brookline, NH 03033.