Mark Richard Austin
September 22, 1963 - September 7, 2019
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Mark Richard Austin
September 22,1963-September 7, 2019
Mark, "Markie" was born in Christ Hospital, Jersey City to Auntie Lolo and Uncle Willie. Siblings Diane, Nancy, Billy and Lorraine were excited to have a new baby brother...until they soon realized they would be an active part in feeding and changing diapers...cloth diapers back in those days. ; ) And, that the crib would be stationed right along side their beds...no separate bedrooms back in those days, folks.
Little sister Kimberly joined the crew 4 years later. Mark became her Big Brother and he loved helping his little sis and passed down all he learned from his older sibs to Kim.
Of course the diapers and the crib were nothing compared to the Toddler years when they soon learned they had to keep everything out of reach Jest their Little Man got hold of it. He sure was a curious one, loved to take apart and reassemble stuff. That pretty much continued his whole life. He was our own MacGyver. Mark could fix or figure out anything. He was our go-to fixer guy.
From Jersey to North Carolina to Florida, when something broke, the question "Who you gonna call?" Was often answered with "Hey, you got Uncle Mark's/Markie's phone number? I need help with...." And Markie usually had or found the answer.
Mark was a topnotch Tin Knocker and HVAC mechanic. He and his brother Billy owned and operated Austin Aire Heating & AC for many years. He started his heating/AC career dragging around supplies for Billy & Cliff (brother-in-law) somewhere around 1979. Mark expanded his knowledge to Boiler systems and pretty much anything connected to the heating and Air Conditioning industry. The knowledge didn't end there, Mark worked construction from the ground up to the roof, inside and out.
He could also cook up some pretty mean suppers and desserts, something his Mom and sister patiently awaited during the time he lived with them.
He started his family with Barbara and son Jason in the the early 80's. "Little Mark" entered their lives when Jason was 12 years old and 4 years ago his newest joy, grandson Brayden completed the clan. Mark had a way with kids of all ages...from babies to teenagers, family to strangers, he could make them smile. Uncle Mark was the favorite babysitter for Tom and Ryan. Always fun and often adventurous...we're still hearing babysitting tales.
Mark, Barbara and the boys were very active in the Epiphany Church community for many years helping with community projects, charities and building projects.
Boy Scouts of America Pack 160, Troop 60 and Pack/Troop 38 benefited from Mark's enthusiasm and experience. Jason started them off and young Mark continued to the highest rank of Scouting, Eagle Scout with the help and encouragement of his Dad, Mom and brother.
Mark had a winning smile and if that smile didn't do the trick he had another quality... to quote him... "Turn on the old blue-eyed charm". Then he'd add little chuckle. He was a big lovable personality. You would have loved him as Santa Claus, Indian Chief (loin cloth included) and who doesn't remember Barney the Big Purple Dinosaur. He did them all.
Mark is survived by his son Mark Joseph, grandson Brayden, siblings Diane, Billy, Nancy, Lorraine (Cliff) and Kim and ex-wife Barbara. Nephews Thomas, Frankie, Ryan, Matthew, Richard, David, Jonathan and Chris. Nieces Dawn and Michele (deceased 2009). Great nieces and nephew Jason, Megan, Molly, Layla and Emilee. Maternal Aunts Judy & Joyce and Uncle Danny. Three generations of cousins, second and third cousins numbering in the 30's.
He is predeceased by his father William H. Austin (1997), mother Lois (Behnke-Sharar) (2018), paternal and maternal grandparents, aunts and uncles.
He also leaves countless lifelong and new friends, the family thanks you for being his friends.
Our stories and memories of Mark are endless, keep those in your hearts and heads; continue to speak of him, share your stories, good and not so good (chuckle, smile). Focus on his life, his love of everything...including his favorite beverage in the green can...and when you can, raise up a Rolling Rock and drop a few F-Bombs, Mark would like that, and he would like only encouraging thoughts and words for his loved ones. He lived a life with a motto of "No Regrets" and "Judge No One".
Mark's family asks that you remember his life and appreciates you for keeping all of his loved ones in your thoughts and prayers.
The family will receive relatives and friends for a memorial gathering on Monday from 3pm to 6:30pm at Weatherhead Young Funeral Home, 885 Mantoloking Rd., Brick, NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to: ABC, P.O. Box 353, Pine Beach, NJ 08741. Condolences may be sent by visiting www.weatherheadyoung.com
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