Floyd Harold Austin

Floyd Harold Austin, 72, passed away quietly at Garden Place Nursing Home in Attleboro, MA, a few hours before dawn on April 15, 2020. While dementia had assaulted his mind, body and memories for years, it was COVID-19 that stole his final breaths.
Born on June 5, 1947 in Palmyra, ME, he was the son of the late Malcolm and Dorothy (Lawrence) Austin.
As a young child, he moved first to a brownstone in South Boston, MA, before settling at what would become the family's longtime home in Stoughton, MA. Floyd graduated from Stoughton High School in 1965 and went on to graduate from Southeastern Massachusetts University (now UMass Dartmouth) in 1972.
On April 28, 1973, Floyd married fun-loving Jo-Anne Loan, whom he affectionately referred to as "kid" throughout their 47 years of marriage. The couple moved to the quiet town of Berkley, MA in 1977, where they lived for 16 years and raised three daughters.
Floyd enjoyed a long career as a civil engineer and CAD designer, working on high-profile projects such as the Boston Harbor Deer Island Water Treatment Plant (one of the largest in the US) and international wing of Logan Airport. He also donated his time and surveyor skills to help build new roads and sports fields in his hometown.
Throughout his life, Floyd was an enthusiastic outdoorsman who loved spending time hunting, fishing, skiing (snow and water) and walking through the woods, especially at his parents' home in Palmyra, ME. He loved sports and played football, baseball, hockey and tennis in his youth. Later, he coached and supported his children's softball, soccer and competitive roller skating. Then, as a grandfather, he cheered on his grandchildren at football, hockey, lacrosse, wrestling, dance and cheerleading events.
Floyd was known for his quiet manner, thunderous laugh, quirky sense of humor, electric blue eyes, red beard and "Austin" stubbornness. He loved reading fantasy, sci-fi and western novels. Chocolate chip cookies. Action movies. Music. Snow. Shooting. Woodworking. Animals (not snakes). Maine. His family. And taking long car rides with his wife to simply ... explore.
He disliked anything mint flavored. Mayonnaise. Horror movies. "Colorful" adjectives (aka swear words). Painting. Heights. Talking on the phone. Wasting electricity. And when you left your bike in the middle of the driveway so he couldn't pull the car in.
Floyd is survived by his beloved wife, Jo-Anne Austin of Attleboro, MA; his loving daughters: Sharon McCarthy and her husband, Michael McCarthy, of Walpole, MA; Brenda Burger and her husband, Kevin Burger, of New Albany, OH; and Lynne Lavini and her husband, Giancarlo Lavini, of Quinton, VA. He was the proud grandfather of Austin McCarthy, Hannah McCarthy, Brianna Lavini and Sebastian Lavini. Floyd leaves his adoring nieces and nephews, and many more family members and friends. He was preceded in death his brother, Errol Austin; his sister, Arlene McMann; and sisters-in-law, Eileen Vanston, Christine Austin, and Kathleen McGarry. (As well as his sweet old yellow lab, Dusty, whom he believed visited him often.)
With strict adherence to applicable Covid-19 health precautions, including social distancing and the use of face masks, friends and family are cordially invited to honor Floyd by attending a Visitation in the "Memorial Chapel" of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro, MA, on Saturday, August 1, 2020 from 12:00 Noon - 1:00 PM, followed by a Memorial Service at 1:00 PM in the "Memorial Chapel".
Burial will be private.
As an expression of sympathy and in lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to HopeHealth Hospice 1085 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02904 in honor of the wonderful, attentive care provided Floyd.
The Austin family would especially like to thank the compassionate staff at Garden Place Nursing Home, which had been Floyd's home for the past two years. While quarantine restrictions prevented his family from being by his side, Floyd was not alone. His brave and caring nurses and aids were with him until the end.
For additional information or to send the family a written expression of sympathy, please visit an online guest book at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com .
Arrangements are under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleborough. (508) 695-0200