Donald Austin Sr

Donald Austin, Sr. of Wilton, NY, passed away peacefully on April 12, 2024, at Wesley Health Care Center. He was 86 years old. Born on April 15, 1937, in Saratoga Springs, NY, he was the son of Wilfred Hollis Austin and Helen Sarah King. Mr. Austin proudly served his country in the United States Navy from 1955 to 1959, or as he so succinctly used to say, "Four years, four months and nine days." He married his wife Patricia Ann Richmond on September 24, 1961.
Donald will be remembered as a lively, friendly, and helpful person and was "a stranger to no one," who had the ability to strike up a conversation with anyone who crossed his path. Throughout his life, he enjoyed camping with family and friends, especially at Whispering Pines Campsites & RV Park, where he held a seasonal site for more than twenty years. He was a campground fixture, driving his "Rolls Royce" golf cart from site to site, interacting with other campers. Don also enjoyed traveling the country, from New York to California and from Canada to Mexico, and everywhere in between. He loved going to casinos with his wife, Patricia, and rarely turned down a chance to get some ice cream, especially strawberry!
He was also a generous man, donating to many charities, including St. Jude's, Shriners and Wounded Warriors. He may have had a gruff exterior and possessed a handshake that could crush a Volkswagen, but he was also a big softy with a huge heart.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Patricia Austin of Wilton, NY, a son, Donald Austin, Jr., and his wife Patty, of El Cajon, CA, a daughter Kimberly A. Foro and her husband Scott, of Greenfield Center, NY, a grandson Jared Foro of Wilton, NY, a granddaughter Caroline Foro of Camilius, NY, and several nieces and nephews. Graveside services with Military honors will be held this summer at Maplewood Cemetery in Saratoga Springs, at a time to be determined. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Tunison Funeral Home, 105 Lake Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866.
Online remembrances can be made at www.tunisonfuneralhome.com