DAVID LEWIS AUSTIN

David Lewis Austin passed peacefully away on 8 June, 2017, at Manitoulin Health Centre in Little Current, Ontario after surviving cancer for 21 years. Dave was the sixth child of nine born to Charles and Ethel Austin on December 17, 1931 in Springhill, Nova Scotia. As a young man he joined the R.C.M.P. Marine Division, based in Halifax with duties taking him to the far north. In1955 he married Joan Davis of Springhill. Shortly afterwards they moved to Ontario where Dave spent 33 years with the CN Railway Police, ending his career as Inspector of South Western Ontario. He was a member of the Doric Lodge. Dave loved living in the outdoors: skiing, skating, gardening, camping, hunting, sailing, and especially fishing with his chosen son, David Allen. He was an avid woodworker and furniture builder, loved curling and golfing, and obtained his pilot’s licence and flew across Canada in the “Almost Great Canadian Vintage Air Craft Race” with his friend Angus McLeod. He enjoyed revolver shooting competitions, and obedience training with his dog and buddy, Max. And he loved to dance. In retirement Dave and Joan had many travels – Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the U.S., the Caribbean, Egypt, Europe and Mexico – and spent summers at the family cottage on the Northumberland Strait, enjoying friends and family. David was a gentle man, unassuming, straightforward and honest. He was a loving husband to Joan, cherished his two loving daughters, Jan and Ann, and looked upon their husbands, Stuart and Andy, as his own sons. He was immensely proud of his four grandsons, Jack, Ted, Alex, and Robert – whose daughter Dani brought her Grampie endless joy. Our heartfelt thanks to Dr. S. Cooper, Dr. P. Cano, Dr. R. Singh, Dr. J. Want , to the helpful nurses Janice and Suzanne at Science North Oncology in Sudbury, and to CCAC and Bayshore who made our lives so much easier. A special thank you to Sandra McMurray, to Steve and all the girls at Guardian, and Bill and Dianne. Thank you to the compassionate nurses and staff at Manitoulin Health Centre for their especially kind and sensitive care in David’s last days. Thank you to our friends for visits and support in so many ways. We will be honouring Dave’s wishes by having a celebration of his life in Pugwash, Nova Scotia, at a date to be announced. Share your thoughts, memories and photos at www.islandfuneralhome.ca. Interment will take place at Springhill Hillside Cemetery, N.S. In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Canadian Cancer Society, or donations to the charity of your choice would be appreciated.