Gerald K. "Jerry" Austin

Gerald (Jerry) K. Austin of North Reading, Massachusetts, passed peacefully on December 3rd, 2023, at 83.  Jerry was predeceased by his wife, Kathleen Austin, of 17 years.  Treasured son of the late John H. Austin and Velma M. (McCutcheon) Austin.  He is the beloved father of Christopher Austin and his husband Donovan Alicea, Melissa Austin and Julie Austin-Feliz and her husband Fred. Jerry is the adored “Moo” to Alexander and Marisol Feliz, the cherished friend to Patricia Austin and the brother of Douglas Austin and his husband Agustin, Marjorie Austin, and Ronald Austin.  Jerry is also survived by his nieces and nephews and many loving friends.

Jerry was born May 13th, 1940, to John and Velma Austin in Detroit and raised in Royal Oak, Michigan.  After graduating from Michigan State University, Jerry moved to the East Coast to continue his studies at MIT as a mechanical engineer.  He ended up staying to build his future in Massachusetts.  His engineering career started at American Science and Engineering in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  Jerry then worked for the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) for over 40 years.  From the first launch of an X-ray satellite in 1970, Uhuru, to the current Parker Solar Probe, Jerry’s accomplishments in X-ray observation are best known for his 20 years of commitment to Chandra X-ray Observatory while working at SAO.  Jerry also started his own company, Austin Instruments, where he built single or multi-node X-ray sources in his spare time at home.  Throughout his career, Jerry received many awards of recognition for his work and will be remembered for his dedication to space exploration, as it was a massive part of who he was.  His family and friends will miss him tremendously.

A Service will be conducted to celebrate Jerry's long and happy life on Thursday, December 14th at 1:30pm in the Union Congregational Church, 148 Haverhill St. North Reading.  Family and friends are cordially invited to gather and share memories with Jerry’s family prior to the Service from 10am-1pm in the Doherty – Barile Family Funeral Home, 11 Linden St. READING.  A private interment will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, his family would appreciate donations to the Alzheimer’s Association in memory of Jerry or donations can be made to the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, Grandpa Austin’s Walkers until December 31st, 2023 - https://act.alz.org/site/TR?fr_id=16598&pg=team&team_id=802564.

For more information, www.facebook.com/BarileFamilyFuneralHome