Donald F. Austin

Donald F. Austin, 87, of North Huntingdon, passed away Monday, January 20, 2025, at AHN Forbes Regional Hospital. He was born August 1, 1937, in McKeesport, a son of the late Julius and Elizabeth (Smith) Austin and was also preceded in death by a brother Julius J. Austin, a sister Elizabeth E. Tkac, grandson Jared Lee Hooke, great grandson Jett Roman Austin, brothers-in-law John, Frank, and Bill Patterson, Bob Cornell, and Steve Cindric, and sisters-in-law Gay (Bost) Austin, Carol (Maley) Patterson, and Dorlee “Geege” Patterson. He is survived by his wife of 68 years Shirley J. (Patterson) Austin; ;their children Tracy Hawley (Bill) of Irwin, Donn (Cindy) Austin of Penn Township, Erin Hooke (Bill) of North Huntingdon, and Chad (Dr. Curren Katz) of Titusville, NJ; his grandchildren Joey (Sara), Joshua (Samantha), Andy (Dr. Katrina), Jonathan (Carley), Ryan (Claudia), Colin (Katelynn), Jesse (Amber), Devin (Lindsay), Jadon, Aidan, Caelan, and Emiliana: great grandchildren Jayce, William, Charlotte, Lyam, Lily, Marshall, Maeve, Celine, and Silas. He is also survived by his Goddaughter Valerie (David) Luehm, and many nieces and nephews and their families. After graduating from McKeesport Vocational High School, Class of 1955, Don began working for Thorofare Markets, a local grocer, where he was manager of produce. After 15 years in retail Don fulfilled his lifelong dream of a career in law enforcement. He joined the North Huntingdon Township Police Department as a patrolman, and later, working with youth as a Juvenile Officer, advancing to the rank of Sergeant. Don was instrumental in implementing the Field Training Program used by the department. He retired from the force with 30 years of service. After retirement form the police department he was elected Commissioner of Ward 7 of North Huntingdon Township and served for 12 years. Don was a member of the Allegheny Valley Lodge 39, Fraternal Order of Police, New Kensington Division, the Penn’s Woods Civic Association, and Irwin First United Methodist Church. Don was an honest, hard-working man. In addition to always having a full time job, he also held second and third jobs as a means of providing for his family. He worked in construction, as a cab driver, and funeral attendant and hearse driver, just to name a few. He was also a jack-of-all trades as evidenced by his countless renovations to the family home, fixing cars, and putzin’ around the house. He enjoyed deer hunting and the outdoors and he’d tell you he never bagged the “big one”. After retirement Don took great pleasure in attending the activities of his grandchildren, spending time at the football field, track, and gymnasium. He also enjoyed watching sports, especially his Pittsburgh teams the Steelers, Penguins, and Pirates. Relatives and friends of Don will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the William Snyder Funeral Home, 521 Main Street, Irwin, where a funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday with Pastor Alex Ielase of First Evangelical Free Church, McKeesport, officiating. Interment will follow in Penn Lincoln Memorial Park, North Huntingdon. In lieu of flowers a contribution can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Wounded Warrior Project. For online condolences please visit www.snyderfuneralservices.com.

Donald F. Austin

August 1, 1937 - January 20, 2025