John H. Austin , Jr.

April 16, 1928 - March 5, 2015

John H. Austin Jr. of Jupiter, Florida, devoted loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend, departed in peace surrounded by the love of his family on March 5th, 2015. John was born on April 16, 1928 in Bryn Mawr, PA, to loving parents, John and Helen Austin. He attended the Washington National Cathedral School and continued his education at Yale University, (ROTC Naval Battalion Commander 1949) and graduating in the class of 1950, from Yale Engineering School. It was there in New Haven, CT, where he met the love of his life, Joan Dorothy Bickel. They were married October 14, 1950 at Christ Episcopal Church in West Haven, and since that time, have enjoyed a truly blessed life together for 65 years. John enjoyed a long and respected career with the Philadelphia Electric Company, later becoming it's President. During those forty years he gathered many lifelong friends and colleagues. Throughout his life, he was forever an active, committed, community member, serving on numerous boards and was a valued advisor to many during the years they resided in Valley Forge, PA; Berwyn, PA; and Northeast, MD. He served on the boards of Southern Home for Children of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Home for the Blind, United Way of Philadelphia, Central Penn Bank, Core States, Meridian Bank, Selas Co., Suburban Water Company of Bryn Mawr, advisor for Friends of the Wissahiggen and the Police Pension Fund of Berwyn, PA. John and his wife Joan were devoted members of the Good Samaritan Episcopal Church of Paoli, PA; St. Mary Anne's Episcopal Church of Northeast, MD; and most recently, St. Marks Episcopal Church of Palm Beach Gardens, FL; sharing their love of God side by side in each and every one. He served on Good Samaritan's Vestry, Rector's Warden, Chairman of the Building Fund, and served as Lay Church usher. John was a most brilliant man, avid reader, thinker and forever our talented "Mr. Fix-It", who possessed a lifelong curiosity of economics, politics, religion and technology. He loved his family, and truly enjoyed forty fun filled years with them all, sailing, relaxing and playing at their summer cottage on the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. What a sailor he was! In retirement he continued to have fun golfing with family and friends as well. He leaves behind his beloved Joan, daughter Nancy MacCarthy and her husband Chris MacCarthy of Norwich, VT; son Tom Austin and his wife Michelle Austin of West Falmouth, MA; daughter Pati Kirk and her husband Phil Kirk of Hillsville, VA; daughter Katherine Austin of Bloomfield Hills, MI; sister (in law) Marilyn Mix of Washington DC; and brother Lawrence Austin and his wife Dede Austin of Savannah, GA; his dearly loved eleven grandchildren; Lauren, Kelly, Evan, Caitlin, Ryan, Shawn, Justin, Amy, Brian, Jeffrey, Matthew; six great-grandchildren; Ruby, Talyn, Anora, Orion, Adele and Lakey; and dearest nieces and nephews. John's quiet strength and courage, enormous generosity, dry (hilarious) wit and unconditional love will be missed and forever cherished. A memorial service will be held Sunday, March 8th at 3pm at St. Marks Episcopal Church, 3395 Burns Rd. Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in memory of John to The Mama Ada Foundation via St. Mark's Episcopal Church 3395 Burns Rd. Palm Beach Gardens, FL33410 (561) 622-0956.