ARTHUR GRAHAM AUSTIN

ARTHUR GRAHAM AUSTIN (1920-2005) Peacefully at Royal City Manor in New Westminster, B.C. on January 26, 2005, in his 85th year. Graham Austin was born in Calgary on August 13, 1920 to parents Arthur and Vera Austin. He attended the University of Alberta, graduating in Commerce and signed up as an officer in training in 1942. During his training on the West Coast he courted his future wife, Audrey Putnam of Winnipeg, and was posted to England in the spring of 1943. Graham served in the 5th Canadian Armoured Division as a Lieutenant commanding a platoon of the 1st Canadian Motor Ambulance Convoy evacuating wounded from the front. After the conclusion of the Italian campaign Graham's unit was transferred to Northwest Europe where he served with the Canadian Army in Holland. Upon Graham's return to Canada in 1946 he married Audrey and settled in Calgary where Graham obtained his Chartered Accountant's designation. After working for some small companies engaged in oil and gas exploration, Graham joined TransCanada Pipelines in 1954 as one of the original employees. In 1956, Audrey, Graham and their young family moved with TCPL to Toronto where Graham was a key member of the team building the national pipeline. Graham became Corporate Controller of TransCanada in 1971 and was the first Canadian appointed as an officer to the American Gas Association. Graham represented TCPL on its first endeavours to develop the gas resources in the Arctic and Mackenzie Valley delta and at the time of his retirement in 1984 was Vice President and General Manager of one of the company's diversified transmission operations. Graham was an active member and committee volunteer at St. George's United Church in Toronto, the Financial Executives Institute and enjoyed entertaining his friends and family at the family cottage on Lake Muskoka. After retirement Graham remained active in volunteering for several years as Treasurer of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind. Graham was blessed with many dear friends from his youth, U of A, the Army, TransCanada and Muskoka. He loved to cruise Lake Muskoka and was famous for his 'moose call' and infectious laugh. His children have great memories of going on day-long explorations of the three big lakes in the early days with their Dad in his ten horsepower outboard. Graham was slowed down with a stroke in 1989 but continued to live life as fully as he could. In 2001, he and Audrey moved west again and settled in New Westminster. Graham lost his beloved Audrey in 2002 and missed her terribly but was buoyed by the support and comfort of his family and friends. Graham leaves his four children: Penny Nelson (Paul), Joan von Engelbrechten (Fred), Ron (Trudy) and Paul (Beth); grandchildren Martha, Julia and Tristane Nelson; Karl and Eric von Engelbrechten; Danielle, Ryan and Tim Austin; and Alexander, Michelle and Natalie Austin; brother Douglas Austin of Calgary and sister Madeline Freeman of Toronto. Graham was a fond brother-in-law to Jim and Bunny Putnam, Margaret Putnam, David and Carolyn Ellis and Mary Putnam and remembered by numerous nephews and nieces. A special note of thanks is extended by Graham's family to Maryann Corona and all of the staff at Royal City Manor for their wonderful care of Graham and Audrey over the years. A memorial service will be held at Como Lake United Church, corner of King Albert and Marmont streets, Coquitlam, B.C., at 11:00 am on Thursday February 3, 2005 with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers donations to the CNIB, 1929 Bayview Ave., Toronto, M4G 3E8 or if preferred to Central United Church, Calgary, Eglinton St. George's United Church, Toronto, or to Como Lake United Church, would be gratefully acknowledged.