FRANCIS A. AUSTIN

1948 - 2016

AUSTIN, Francis A. Of Braintree, MA, born March 22, 1948, beloved brother and friend, died May 21, 2016 at Lahey Hospital in Burlington MA from complications of a long illness. Both his parents, Francis Austin of Braintree and Laura (Farrar) Austin of Norwell and Braintree predeceased him. He is survived by his sisters Lorraine Austin of Braintree, Massachusetts and Mary Preckwinkle of Colorado Springs, Colorado, his brother Lawrence from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and his aunt, Madeline Farrar of Norwell, as well as many dear friends, among whom, Judy Ferdella of Auburn MA, Randy Testa of Cambridge, John and Lucia Mudd of Cambridge, Charles Felsenthal of Natick and Joan Van Heerden of Boston. Art will be cherished in the heart of those who knew and loved him for his infectious sense of humor and his probing intelligence, as well as for his talent as a poet and his love of music, gardening, and old movies. He will also be remembered by many for the battles he fought alone and with others to obtain justice for victims of clerical abuse. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Boston, at 10:00 AM, June 8, 2016, followed by interment at Plain Street Cemetery in Braintree, MA. Friends and relations are invited to a celebration of Art's life June 4, 2016, from noon to 9:00 P.M. at the family home in Braintree, MA. Donations to the American Liver Foundation may be made, in lieu of flowers 188 Needham Street, Suite 240, Newton, MA 02464.