MATTAWAMKEAG – Thornton Martin Austin, 79, died Feb. 19, 2008, at his home. He was born Aug. 5, 1928, in Mattawamkeag, the son of Bertrand and Julia (McDonough) Austin. Thornton was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. Thornton was very proud to serve the town of Mattawamkeag. He was a selectman of the town for many years. He also served as road commissioner for the town of Mattawamkeag for 25 years and maintained the Mattawamkeag cemetery for more than 60 years. Thornton was also a truck driver and worked for the railroad as a crossing tender. He is survived by a brother, George Austin of South Carolina; nieces and nephews who thought of him as a grandfather, two nephews, John Austin of Saco and Edward Austin of Lowell, Mass.; four nieces, Elisabeth Austin and Jenness Whitacker, both of Scarborough, Moira Peterson of Foxborough, Mass., and Gretchen Dannano of Wakefield, Mass.; nine great-nieces and great-nephews, Reeve Austin, Kylee Austin, James Dannano, Robert Dannano, Caitlan Peterson, Marin Whitacker, Cullen Whitacker, Vanessa Austin and Brian Austin; and two step-children, Pam Ambrose and Ernest Philbrook. He also leaves his best friend of many years, Brian McKinnon. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his longtime companion, Eugenia Ambrose; a brother, Robert “Tom” Austin; and a great-niece, Julie Austin. Friends may call noon-1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24, at Clay Funeral Home, 7 Lee Road, Lincoln. A memorial service will be held 1 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home with the Rev. Leon Robinson officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Mattawamkeag Community Pride Fund. Donations may be left at the funeral home. There will be a gathering at the Mattawamkeag Community Center, after the service. For an online guest book, please visit www.clayfuneralhome.com.
THORNTON MARTIN AUSTIN
