Published in the August 23, 2016 edition.
STONEHAM — George L. Austin, 89, of Stoneham and formerly of Wakefield, died peacefully surrounded by his family on Aug. 17 in Melrose.
Mr. Austin was born in Mattawamkeag, Maine on Nov. 15, 1926 and was the son of the late Bertrand and Julia B. (McDonough) Austin. Raised in Mattawamkeag, he graduated from high school there in 1944 and later graduated from Northeastern University in Boston in 1951.
He then started a 36-year career with the American Mutual Insurance Company in Wakefield where he worked as an underwriter. Active in the community, he served as president of the Wakefield Chamber of Commerce, was a member of the Toastmasters Club and was also active in the Boy Scouts of America and the Explorer Scouts.
He also enjoyed many retirement years living in Little River, S.C.
He was a true mentor that spoke through actions and always had a kind word of encouragement.
Mr. Austin was the beloved husband of Madeline H. (Hiltz) Austin. He was also the loving father Edward J. Austin and his fiancée Patricia Neals and Gretchen A. DiNanno and her husband James M. DiNanno. He was the brother of the late Thornton M. and Robert W. Austin. He was the loving grandfather of Vanessa and Brian Austin and James A. DiNanno and wife Liz and Robert DiNanno. He was the brother in-law of Mary Austin of Maine. He was the uncle of Moira Peterson and her husband David of Wrentham, Jenness Whitaker and husband David of Maine and the late Julie, John and Elizabeth Austin.
His funeral service will be held in the Wakefield-Lynnfield United Methodist Church, 273 Vernon St.,Wakefield on Thursday at 11. Visitation for relatives and friends will be held at the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield on Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. Private interment in Mattawamkeag, Maine will take place at a later date.
