Charles F. Austin Sr.

Whitehall: Charles F. Austin, Sr., 87, of Wheeler Avenue, passed away on September 30, 2016 at his home following a courageous battle with cancer.

Born on January 4, 1929 in West Rutland, Vermont, he was the son of the late John C. and Myrtle (Fish) Austin.

On April 25, 1948, he married Irena Benway.

Charles enlisted in the New York State National Guard at the age of 14.  He was a member of the U. S. Coast Guard and at the end of WWII and rejoined the New York State National Guard following the war.  He joined the U. S. Army and retired after 30 years as Chief Warrant Officer 3rd Grade including two tours in Vietnam and received three bronze stars.  Charles was a member of the American Legion Post #83 of Whitehall and past Commander and also held the position as past District Commander. He was also a member of the MOAA which means Military Officers Association of America.

After retiring from the military ,he worked a short time as a correctional officer for the New York State Department of Corrections and also was a security guard for Pinkerton Security and also held many other security positions.

He was a communicant of Our Lady of Hope Roman Catholic Church.

He was a life member of the B.P.O.E, Lodge #1491 of Whitehall, the Whitehall Fish and Game Club and the NRA.  He was a 51 year member of the Knights of Columbus, Council #276 of Whitehall and a past Grand Knight.  He was also a 4th degree Knight, Council Assembly #756 of Ticonderoga and was a past Faith Navigator.

Besides his parents, he is predeceased by a daughter, Judith Scrime and son, Jack Austin.

Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Irena Benway Austin of Whitehall; his son, Charles F. Austin, Jr. and his wife, Jessica of Whitehall, six grandchildren, Kenneth E. Austin, Charles F. Austin III, Ethan Allen Austin, Jacob Austin, Nathaniel Pauquette and Dion Kasper; one great grandchild, Austin Dion Kasper and one sister, Shirley McPhee of Glens Falls.

Family and friends may call at the Jillson Funeral Home, Inc., 46 Williams Street, Whitehall on Monday, October 3, 2016 from 1PM to 3 PM and 5PM to 7PM.  The B. P. O. E Lodge #1491 will conduct a Lodge of Sorrow at 6:30 PM followed by the American Legion Post #83 who will conduct a Legionnaire service at 6:45PM and the Knights of Columbus #276 will recite the Rosary at 7PM.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 4, 2016 at 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Hope Roman Catholic Church in Whitehall by Fr. Declan Gibson the visiting priest in residence..

Interment with full military honors will be conducted at Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Whitehall by the U.S. Army and the American Legion Post #83 of Whitehall.

In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested that donations in Charles’ name may be made to the American Legion Post #83 of Whitehall, Main Street, Whitehall, New York 12887 or Our Lady of Hope Roman Catholic Church, 9 Wheeler Avenue, Whitehall, NY 12887.

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