Hanford Austin, 90

Hanford Austin, 90

Hanford N. “Hamp” Austin, died January 1, 2012, at the age of 90.

He was born February 5,1921 in Whitehall, the son of Myron and Florence (Mason) Austin.

Hamp owned and operated a dairy farm on his beloved Granville Road in Whitehall where he worked and resided for most of his life. He found the perfect wife to share his life of farming with, when on October 23,1943; he married Doris Johnson. That marriage lasted a lifetime of 68 years.

He enjoyed keeping all kinds of interesting animals “pets” on his farm and interacting with several generations of young people, who were fascinated with farm life. He loved his pets, and he loved to entertain visitors with the humorous stories from his long life.

Hamp was a horseman, and owned a wide variety of horses, from Shetland ponies to Draft horses. He rode or drove his horses in many hometown parades and local weddings.

A hard working man all his life, Hamp kept busy well into his eighties by helping out with the mowing and grounds work at Greenmount and Our Lady of Angels Cemeteries. He also utilized his gardening skills by volunteering for several years keeping the grounds and gardens looking beautiful at the Skene Manor.

Hamp was a lifelong member of the Whitehall United Methodist Church, the Whitehall Grange, and a past president of the Greenmount Cemetery Association.

He will forever be remembered and adored by his wife Doris of Whitehall; four sons, Kenneth and wife Karen of South Glens Falls, Jerry and wife Gail of West Pawlet, Stanley and wife Lee Mc Clure of Kingsbury, Lawrence of Pittsford. Vt.; a daughter, Lois Austin and husband John Sienkiewicz of Pittsford, Vt.; seven treasured grandchildren, Marcy, Molly, Kyle, Thomas, Laura, Erin and Alex, and eight precious great grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his son Donald, and grandson Clayton.

The entire Austin Family would like to thank these special people who helped the family care for Hamp in his last years at home, Scott Ward and Sandy and Wilbur Rozell. We are eternally grateful.

To honor the fact that Hamp was a private person and to honor his wishes, there will be no calling hours or service.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Whitehall United Methodist Church, 56 Greenmount Cemetery Lane, Whitehall, NY 12887.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Jillson Funeral Home, Inc., 46 Williams Street, Whitehall, New York .