1921 – 2003

FARMINGTON – Franklin J. Austin, 82 of Wilton, died Saturday evening, April 5, at Sandy River Living and Rehabilitation Center after a long illness.

He was born Feb. 9, 1921, in Farmington, a son of the late Daniel Schuyler and Josephine (Dingley) Austin. His childhood years were spent in West Farmington and Farmington close to his brother, sisters and many cousins.

He graduated from Farmington High School in 1939 and entered the University of Maine in Orono to study Mechanical Engineering.

After graduating from the University of Maine in 1943 he went to work for General Electric Co. where he worked through the war.

In 1948 he went to work for the International Paper Co. in Jay and moved his family to Livermore Falls. During the next 18 years he was an avid participant in snow skiing. He was one of the pioneers who developed “Spruce Mountain” ski slope in Jay. Summers were spent towing water skiers for many miles and hours on Clearwater Lake in Industry.

In 1970 he went to the Philippines to open a power plant in a new paper mill to make paper from Philippine mahogany.

This is where he met Ines Dolomindin his devoted wife of nearly 30 years. “Frank” and Ines are known for hosting wonderful extended family from around the world and social gatherings at their home and at their camp on Clearwater Lake.

He always enjoyed tinkering with boat motors and could always be counted on to fix anything brought to him. He loved the lake activities and family gatherings, always the gracious host to numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

He was a member of the Henderson Memorial Baptist Church and faithfully attended Shorey Chapel in Industry during the summer months. He was a 50 year member of the Maine Lodge A.F.&A.M. 20 in Farmington and the Farmington-Wilton Historical Society. He enjoyed accompanying his wife to mass at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Farmington where she attends.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Austin is survived by a twin sister, Fanny Kendall of Farmington; three children, Daniel Austin and his wife Jane of Barrington, RI, William Austin of West Tisbury, Mass., Abbie Taylor and her husband David of Vineyard Haven, Mass.; four grandchildren, Emily, Jane, Liam and James; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by three sisters, Marion Barrows, Anna Small, Jane Francis; and a brother, Nelson “Sonny” Austin.



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