In memory of Austin

Beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle; economist, educator, banker

This page is dedicated to the memory of Austin, father of Austin and Owen, grandfather of Rachel, Gerrit and Lizzie, brother of Daniel and Annamarie, and "Uncle Austin" to so many of us. Born Nov. 20, 1917, Austin passed away on Sept. 9, 2008.

His newspaper obituary described him as an economist, educator and banker, but of course he was much more to all of us.

We invite all family members to add their remembrances to this page. Please send your words and photos to birchstreetweb@gmail.com

===================================================================

Father's Day, 1988

It was the largest family gathering in most of our memories. On a beautiful June day we enjoyed each other's company at Austin and Lee's home in Mamaroneck. Everyone who was there has fond memories and appreciated Austin's hospitality and the chance to get together for a happy occasion.

Does anyone have more photos from this gathering? Please send them along.

====================================================================================

Remembrances

From Austin's brother Daniel:

Austin was every bit as fine a man as his obit implies, and then some. To me he was the greatest of older brothers, and I admired and looked up to him all my life. He was ten years older than I, yet when he was a teen-ager and I was just a little kid he treated me not as a pesky little brother but as a pal. I'll never forget the days fishing or clamming off Poquott in our old rowboat, berry picking in the woods, swimming, or just going on hiking along the beach or through the woods. Austin had many friends his own age, but he always had time for me. Later when he got his driver's license, we'd get in the old Essex and just go exploring around Long Island. Even when he was a CEO with great responsibilities, we still would get together whenever we could to pal around just like the old days.

We shouldn't forget Austin's military service in WW II. The war had been going on for a relatively short time when he was drafted into the Army and sent to Fort Jackson, SC for basic training. He soon found himself assigned to the 100th Division, Quartermaster Corps. During basic training he earned a sharpshooter's medal, and at the completion of training was immediately promoted to sergeant, by-passing PFC and corporal. He then spent a short time as a Warrant Officer - a rank between non-commissioned and commissioned officer generally held by someone with a special skill - at the time Austin had a Master's degree in economics. He then applied for, and was sent to Officer's Candidate School at Fort Bragg, graduating as a 2nd Lieutenant and being given command of a "colored" quartermaster company (the Army was still segregated then.) Just before shipping overseas, because he was an economist whose skill was needed, he was transferred to Headquarters at Fort Devens, MA where he remained until his discharge as a 1st Lieutenant at the end of the war.

Here is the only picture I have of Austin in his Army uniform.

In the picture I'm on the left wearing my Loughlin letter, next to me is my Aunt Margaret, and my mother on the right. The picture was taken on the lawn of my Aunt's house (just around the corner from where Kathy and Ted are living now in Strathmore.) The date is probably some time in 1942, since Austin is not yet an officer.

========================================================

From nephew Daniel C.:

As I kid I knew Uncle Austin was a very busy banker, and there was always a bit of the aura of serious business around him. Yet to myself and my sister and brothers he was always the cheerful uncle, generous with his time and fun-loving. We boys would always return his firm handshake with a squeeze and he'd always play along and say "Ow!" A Christmastime visit to his house was always a great time as he loved the holiday get-togethers and always made us all feel at home.

I had the chance a few times to tag along when my dad and his big brother spent a day together. I remember riding out to Sag Harbor in his car one time, being very impressed by the big smooth-riding Buick and just listening to the two of them talk. I don't recall their conversation but I bet it had something to do with summers in Poquott. Another time the three of us were on City Island -- I don't recall why -- and had lunch together at one of the restaurants there. I was maybe around 10 and felt very grown-up chatting with the two of them over lunch. The most unexpected excursion was to a Manhattan movie theater to see Yellow Submarine, the Beatles movie, shortly after its release in 1968. He was curious to see it and asked us to come along. As a 15-year-old Beatles fan I enjoyed the movie, but even I thought it was a bit odd -- and I couldn't imagine what my college-professor Dad and bank-executive Uncle were thinking. But as we came out of the theater I remember Uncle Austin saying something to this effect: "I think I got the message. The important thing is love. That's a good message."

===================================================================

From the obituary published in The New York Times:

He received his BA, St. Francis College in Brooklyn in 1938, MA (Hayden fellow 1938-1940) Fordham University 1940 Ph.D. He was an instructor at Canisius College 1986, Fordham University 1938-1941, economics instructor Georgetown University 1941-1942, Fordham University School of Education 1946-1955, dean of school of business administration Seton Hall University 1950-1955, dean of school of business administration Canisius College Buffalo 1955-1962. Chairman and President of River Bank America, (formerly East River Savings Bank) 1970-1989. He was married to the former Mary Patricia Halpin who predeceased him in May 1974. He remarried the former Lee Chilton Romero who also predeceased him in February 2007. He is survived by his children Austin Joseph and Owen Gerard, his grandchildren Rachel, Gerrit and Lizzie Murphy, Tessa and Katie Romero.