Hugh Austin
Born In: Skye Glen, Nova Scotia, Canada
Born: June 25th, 1921
Passed in: Skye Glen, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed on: February 13th, 2011
Hugh Fraser Austin, 89, Skye Glen, Inverness Co., passed away peacefully at home Sunday, Feb. 13, 2011, with his family by his side.
Born in Skye Glen, Inverness Co., June 25, 1921, he was the son of the late James and Lavinia (Smith) Austin. Hugh was a veteran of the Second World War having served in Continental Europe with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders as a Lance - Corporal. He took part in the D-Day Operations on June 6, 1944 and in the battles surrounding Caen, France. He was later wounded at Falaise Gap, France. While recovering in hospital in Colchester, England, he met his future wife, Edna, who was enlisted in the Women’s Land Army. After the war Hugh returned to Skye Glen with his British war bride and they worked the family farm and raised their children.
Hugh enjoyed farming and in the earlier years he worked a mixed farm operation. Later on, the farm became a successful dairy farming business. Hugh was also known for his keen interest in vegetable and flower gardening and looked forward to each spring when he would pick out new plants and flowers to add to his gardens.
He made many friends over the years and loved to host visitors in his home. During these visits, he would recite many interesting stories of his early life growing up in a family of 16 children. He also enjoyed discussions on politics, current events and history.
Hugh was a very generous man and was very proud of his family and grandchildren. Besides working on the farm with his wife Edna and children, Hugh also found time to serve on many community committees and boards. He was past president and past secretary of Whycocomagh Branch 123 of the Royal Canadian Legion. He was also a past Legion zone commander for Inverness County and branch service officer. He was awarded the Legion’s life membership in 1978, and in 1985, was presented with the Meritorious Service Medal and Palm Leaf for outstanding service to the legion, which are the highest awards that can be conferred by the Royal Canadian Legion’s Dominion Command. He was president of the Whycocomagh Co-operative, a past president of the Inverness Federation of Agriculture and a 4-H club leader. He served on the board of directors of the Inverness County Memorial Hospital and was also past president of the Whycocomagh Home and School Association. He served as president of the Skye Glen Community Hall Association and was a member of the Mabou Historical Society.
In 1968, Hugh was awarded Canada’s Centennial Medal for outstanding service to the nation. Hugh retired from farming in 1977 when his son John took over the farm; however, he continued to be active in community and Legion projects.
He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Edna Margaret (nee Champion); daughters, Diana (Linus McCloskey), Cornwall, P.E.I.; Janice, Toronto, Ont.; Patricia (Gerald Noade), Timberlea, N.S. and Ella Marie (Terrence Rankin), Fort McMurray, Alta.; sons, Kenneth, Skye Glen, John (Judy) Skye Glen, Lawrence (Petra) Trenton, Ont.; 15 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; brothers, Norman, Truro and Thomas, Sudbury, Ont.; many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was predeceased by sons, Hedley and Paul; daughter-in-law, Linda; son-in-law Duncan Johnson; brothers, Smith, David, J.D., Earl, Clair and Henry; sisters, Ella, Florence, Lottie, Beatrice, Ida, Bessie and Isobel. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends.
Visitation will be held from 2-9 p.m. today (Tuesday) in Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, Whycocomagh. Funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday in Stewart United Church with Rev. Donna Tourneur officiating. Burial in Skye Glen–Centerville Cemetery.
Family flowers only, please. Memorial donations may be made to Skye Glen-Centerville Cemetery (C/O Isabel Munro P.O. Box 238 Whycocomagh B0E 3M0), CNIB or Canadian Cancer Society.
Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at www.haverstocks.com.
