Carl Austin

OXFORD - After a long full life, Carl A. Austin, 91, of Cypress Street, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, March 13, 2010. He is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Helen M. (Jakstas) Austin of Oxford; two daughters, Jean Sidlo of Raleigh, NC, and Jane Redmond of San Francisco, CA; four step daughters, Susan Varin of Sutton, Betty Hedlund of Millbury, Penny Morway of Dudley, and Lisa Morton of Pomfret Center, CT; two sisters, Ethelyn Austin and Elinor Brown, both of Webster; fourteen grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, and many nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by his first wife, Eleanor (Sherwood) Austin, who died in 1969 after 26 years of marriage; two brothers, Leslie and John; and a sister, Ruth. He was born in Providence, RI, the son of the late Lucius and Nina (Anderson) Austin, and was raised in Quinebaug, CT, before moving to Oxford many years ago. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. Mr. Austin was a postal clerk and letter carrier at the Oxford Post Office for 31 years, retiring in 1980. He was currently employed as an interpreter at Old Sturbridge Village, where he had worked for the past 30 years. He was a member of the First Congregational Church of Dudley and was a member of the Oxford Historical Society. He was a member of the Greendale Retired Men's Club and was a Mason in the Oxford Lodge of Masons. Mr. Austin printed for many years on the printing press he had at his home. He loved playing cards at the Oxford Senior Center and enjoyed whittling wood. He collected many can tabs for Shriner's Hospital, enjoyed using his computer, and loved taking pictures and video of his family. A celebration of Carl's life will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 17, 2010, at the First Congregational Church, 135 Center Road, Dudley. Military burial will follow at North Cemetery, Oxford. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Congregational Church / Budget, 135 Center Road, Dudley, MA 01571. Paradis Funeral Home, 357 Main St., Oxford, is directing the arrangements.