John W. Austin

John W. Austin Jr., 72, passed away Wednesday May 12, 2021 at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton after a courageous struggle with cancer. He was born in Haverhill, MA December 30,1948 the son of John and Margaret (Farrell) Austin. He attended local schools there as well as Northeastern University in Boston.

John entered the US Army during the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged in 1971. He received the National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.  John was a longtime Western Massachusetts resident.

Johnny will be remembered by family and friends for his kind spirit, compassion for all, lover of nature, and sense of adventure. During the last ten years he lived with his companion Kimberly Scott in Sunderland, whom he met while taking salsa dance lessons which was one of his many passions. He also enjoyed  golf, deep sea and freshwater fishing, jet skiing, softball, concerts, and  summer vacations in Rhode Island with his children and grandchildren. Though family and friends were apprehensive about his thirty-two-mile round trip jet ski venture from Galilee to Block Island, Johnny completed the journey triumphantly and a bit tired.

Over the years Johnny worked at the Boston and Maine railroad, Renaissance Builders, Don Lorenz, and Dillon’s Chevrolet. Both customers and co-workers valued his upbeat personality, work ethic, and commitment. 

He will be greatly missed by family members including sons Ryan Doherty and his girlfriend Erin Leith of Gill, Gregory Austin of Millers Falls, daughter Ashley Rogers and her husband Kenneth of Orange; six granddaughters Ayla, Brynn, Cierra, Lillian, Magnolia, and Josephine; sisters Anne Shanahan of Atlanta, GA, and Jane Journeay (Carlin) of Boynton Beach, Fl, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.  He is also survived by his former spouses Maureen Austin and Karen Connor.

A funeral service will be held Monday May 17, 2021 at 5 PM at Kostanski Funeral Home 220 Federal St, Greenfield. Calling hours will be held from 3 PM until service time. Burial will be private and at the convenience of his family.

For condolences, please visit www.kostanskifuneralhome.com.

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