Austin Joseph Kinsella

Austin Joseph Kinsella

Austin Joseph Kinsella, 92, of Pembroke, Ontario; formerly of Torbay, Newfoundland and Labrador, passed peacefully away on July 5th, 2023, at his home, with his wife of 70 years, Alice, by his side.

Austin was born on February 26th, 1931, at home in Torbay, Newfoundland and Labrador. He is survived by his wife of 70 years Alice (Roblin), and his eleven children – Sharon (Francois) Desfosses, Marian (Kerry) O’Connor, Austin (Bernice) Kinsella, Thomas (Judy) Kinsella, Genevieve (Ross) Kreye, Janet (Frank Panych) Kinsella, Mary (Kelly) Philip, Ann Kinsella, Patrick (Kerry Docherty) Kinsella, Eileen (Chris) Byrne, Betty (Brian) Timmerman; 21 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren, and many loving nieces, nephews and friends. Austin was a loving husband and father, and a friend to many.

Austin finished school at the age of 17 in 1948. At that time in Newfoundland the U.S. Air Force had bases and radar stations; one had to be 18 years old to work there. Austin changed his birth certificate to show he was 18 and went to work at a small base in the Arctic, as a space heater repair person, for one year. After this experience, he moved to Hamilton, Ontario where he met Alice. They moved back to Torbay, where they were married in 1952. Austin then went back to work at the U.S. base in St. John’s, Newfoundland as a heavy equipment operator.  He worked at this trade for various employers in the coming years, eventually moving to the Department of Highways for the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, retiring in 1989. In the 1960’s Austin was a part-time commercial fisherman. This was a passionate endeavour of his; he loved to tell how in 1965 he and his crew caught 224,000 lbs. of codfish which they sold for 3 cents a pound.  In 1992, Austin and Alice moved to Deep River, Ontario to be closer to family.  They enjoyed their retirement years here, making new friends, fishing, and traveling.

Austin loved to read, solve crossword puzzles, and kept a daily journal. He loved baseball and hockey; his favourite teams were the Toronto Blue Jays and Toronto Maple Leafs. He was a storyteller, loved a practical joke, could recite poems, and sing many an Irish tune. He was a proud and hard-working man, respected by many, loved by all.

A special thank you to the staff at Supples Landing and the Champlain Community Care Access Centre for their compassionate care and support during Austin’s final days.

A Mass in the presence of ashes will be celebrated on Thursday, September 28 at 11:00 am at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, Deep River.