Obituary for Timothy Austin
Timothy A. Austin, 56, passed away at Hartford Hospital in Hartford, CT, on May 22. He was born in Pittsfield on April 22, 1967, the son of Helen L. Staples Austin and Arthur L. Austin.
Timmy Austin grew up in First Baptist Church, where he was dedicated and baptized. There he met friends that would become lifelong loved ones. He sang in the Children’s, Junior High and Senior High Choirs and played in the Handbell Choir. He also performed and provided piano accompaniment on holidays and special occasions. Tim was also involved in youth fellowship during his junior and senior high years. These were very special years in his religious life.
Tim was educated in Pittsfield Public Schools, graduating from Taconic High School with honors, class of 1985. Tim was active in school plays and other performances. He also performed with the Town Players. He graduated from University of Hartford Hartt School of Music, Magna cum Laude, in 1989. Tim earned his Masters Degree with Distinction in Choral Conducting from Northwestern University College of Music in Evanston, IL. He was a Choral Director with the Chicago Children’s Choir and the Jubilate Children’s Choir of the North Shore, and also taught at Highland Park High School before relocating to the New York City area. He attended New York University for one year. After several years teaching music in schools in the New York suburbs, he moved to his final home in West Hartford, CT. He was employed by Bertera Subaru of Hartford as a sales manager at the time of his passing.
He enjoyed traveling, especially his many European vacations, along with visiting many of the Caribbean islands. His favorite place in the USA was New Orleans, LA. Music was his love, particularly classical and jazz.
He is survived by his mother, Helen L. Austin; father Arthur L. Austin, Aunts Josephine Powell and Minnie Ingram, Uncle Labrun Austin, and many cousins.
Tim was predeceased by his paternal grandmother, Rose Tuck; aunt Emma Richardson, uncles Adam and James Austin.
Tim was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, Sarah F. Lewis Staples and William T. Staples, Sr; aunts Frances and Ethel Staples, Dorothy Adams, and Rose Williamson; Uncle William T. “Sonny” Staples, Jr; and brother Scott Allan Austin.
Tim was a very generous person who brought joy and lots of laughter to those who knew him. He is sadly missed.
FUNERAL NOTICE: Funeral home services will be held Thursday, June 1, 2023 at 2 p.m. at Dery Funeral Home, 54 Bradford St., Pittsfield, celebrated by Rev. Ashley Smith. An hour of visitation will be held prior from 1 to 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in memory of Timothy A. Austin may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in care of the funeral home.
Timmy Austin grew up in First Baptist Church, where he was dedicated and baptized. There he met friends that would become lifelong loved ones. He sang in the Children’s, Junior High and Senior High Choirs and played in the Handbell Choir. He also performed and provided piano accompaniment on holidays and special occasions. Tim was also involved in youth fellowship during his junior and senior high years. These were very special years in his religious life.
Tim was educated in Pittsfield Public Schools, graduating from Taconic High School with honors, class of 1985. Tim was active in school plays and other performances. He also performed with the Town Players. He graduated from University of Hartford Hartt School of Music, Magna cum Laude, in 1989. Tim earned his Masters Degree with Distinction in Choral Conducting from Northwestern University College of Music in Evanston, IL. He was a Choral Director with the Chicago Children’s Choir and the Jubilate Children’s Choir of the North Shore, and also taught at Highland Park High School before relocating to the New York City area. He attended New York University for one year. After several years teaching music in schools in the New York suburbs, he moved to his final home in West Hartford, CT. He was employed by Bertera Subaru of Hartford as a sales manager at the time of his passing.
He enjoyed traveling, especially his many European vacations, along with visiting many of the Caribbean islands. His favorite place in the USA was New Orleans, LA. Music was his love, particularly classical and jazz.
He is survived by his mother, Helen L. Austin; father Arthur L. Austin, Aunts Josephine Powell and Minnie Ingram, Uncle Labrun Austin, and many cousins.
Tim was predeceased by his paternal grandmother, Rose Tuck; aunt Emma Richardson, uncles Adam and James Austin.
Tim was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, Sarah F. Lewis Staples and William T. Staples, Sr; aunts Frances and Ethel Staples, Dorothy Adams, and Rose Williamson; Uncle William T. “Sonny” Staples, Jr; and brother Scott Allan Austin.
Tim was a very generous person who brought joy and lots of laughter to those who knew him. He is sadly missed.
FUNERAL NOTICE: Funeral home services will be held Thursday, June 1, 2023 at 2 p.m. at Dery Funeral Home, 54 Bradford St., Pittsfield, celebrated by Rev. Ashley Smith. An hour of visitation will be held prior from 1 to 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in memory of Timothy A. Austin may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in care of the funeral home.