Austin Edwin Townsend Sr.

Eastport and Calais – Austin Edwin Townsend, 88, passed away peacefully at his home on March 26, 2010 in the arms of his loving companion, Forrestine Wheelock. Ozzie was born November 16, 1921 to Edwin and Nellie (Hayden) Townsend in the South End of Eastport as their 8th child out of 10. He attended local schools and spent countless hours working on his father’s fishing boat. During the war he worked at Grumman Air Plant helping provide the troops with planes and material to carry on the war efforts. He also worked as a civil servant patrolling the beaches of Long Island, NY. While in New York he would spend his downtime exploring the city, being a small town boy he would inevitably end up lost which required rescue from his big sister Pearl. Returning to Eastport after the war Ozzie married Elaine Ritchie in August of 1947. They resided and raised their 5 children in Eastport enjoying 38 years of joy and love until her untimely death in 1985. Ozzie was a lifelong brethren of the Knights of Pythias, Anchor lodge 41 receiving his 50 year pin in 2005 with a total service of 65 years. He retired after 35 years of work for Gilford Industries. Ozzie met Forrestine Wheelock in 1989 and soon after moved to Calais, they went on to enjoy over 20 years of loving companionship. Forrestine provided love to Ozzie and became a second mom to his family. Ozzie and Forrestine enjoyed walking the streets of Eastport, looking at neighbor’s flower gardens, and just enjoying each other’s company. Ozzie always enjoyed his Sunday drives and clam baskets, his afternoon naps were a must right after his warm glass of Narragansett best sipped on the front porch with a saltshaker nearby. He was very active in the local chapter of the Maine Republican Party and was an avid reader. Ozzie’s loving sister Pearl described him as a gentleman and gentle person. Tolerance being Dad’s creed he often said “Judge not a man by what you hear but by how a man treats you”. In addition to his parents Ozzie was predeceased by his wife, Elaine Townsend; an infant daughter, Melissa; 8 siblings and his daughter-in-law, Janet Townsend. Survivors include his long time companion, Forrestine Wheelock of Calais and her two sons Forrest and David Wheelock; 2 daughters Ann Townsend, of Bangor and Maria Townsend and her partner Brent Ellinwood of Eastport; 3 sons, George Townsend of Eastport, Austin Townsend Jr. of Perry, and Alan Townsend of Bangor; a sister Pearl Miliano of Searsport; 14 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews, lots of friends, with a special mention to two friends Bob and Pat Bishop. Visitation will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 30 at Maria Townsend’s home, 64 High St., Eastport. A funeral service will be held at Maria’s home Wednesday, March 31 at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Robert Hinton officiating. Burial will take place at a later date at Bayside Cemetery. Arrangements are in the care of Mays Funeral Home, Calais & Eastport.


Cemetery:
Bayside Cemetery
Cemetery Road
Eastport, ME 04631 (map/driving directions)



Visitations:
6:00PM to 8:00PM on Tuesday, March 30th, 2010 at Maria Townsend's Home (map/driving directions)



Services:
2:00PM at Maria Townsend's Home on Wednesday, March 31st, 2010 (map/driving directions)