Thornton Martin Austin

MATTAWAMKEAG-Thornton Martin Austin, 79, died February 19, 2008, at his home. He was born August 5, 1928, in Mattawamkeag, the son of Bertrand and Julia (McDonough) Austin. Thornton was a U S Army veteran of the Korean War era. 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 over 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 nephews, Reeve Austin, Kylee Austin, James Dannano, Robert Dannano, Caitlan Peterson, Marin Whitacker, Cullen Whitacker, Vanessa Austin and Brian Austin; 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 from 12 noon-1 p.m. Sunday, February 24, at the Clay Funeral Home, 7 Lee Rd., Lincoln. A memorial service will be held at 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 the Mattawamkeag Community Pride Fund. Donations may be left at the funeral home. A gathering will be held at the Mattawamkeag Community Center, after the service.