Joseph Matthew Austin

Joseph Matthew Austin of Catonsville, MD, loving husband, beloved father, brother, grandfather and uncle passed away peacefully on October 7, 2024, surrounded by his family. Born on November 14, 1943 in Springfield, MA, Joe was the third of six children born to Joseph Francis Austin and Mary Elizabeth (Shea) Austin.

Growing up in Chicopee, MA, Joe cultivated his early sense of adventure by participating in multiple sports, jumping freight trains, and playing pranks on his five loving sisters. He attended St. Francis College in Maine, (now known as the University of New England) where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in History, and was later inducted into their sporting Hall of Fame for his performance in soccer, hockey and tennis. He also earned a Masters of Arts in Russian and Eastern European Studies from Niagara University, and it was there that he met his wife, Eva. In 1969, he was drafted to serve in Vietnam with the Army Corps of Engineers for 15 months. Eva joined him in Vietnam as an Army Nurse.

Upon his return to the US, Joe translated his love of history and Eastern Europe into a dedicated teaching career in Montgomery County Public Schools for over 40 years. In addition to being a devoted educator, Joe prioritized his family. He loved cheering on his children in any and all events and performances, and was not afraid to be the loudest fan in the stands. His own passions included tennis, golf, swimming, biking and singing in his church choir. He ran races and swam miles in open water, fearless of sharks or seaweed. Additionally, Joe was a dedicated and beloved member of his parish community of St. Mark for 50 years, always giving his time and prayers to anyone in the parish who needed them.

Joe deeply loved connecting with his extended family, and made a special effort to see family and friends whenever he could, making many road trips to New England in the summer or on holidays, with numerous bikes, cots, sleeping bags and children strapped into and around his minivan. Joe relished being a grandfather too, and continued to chair the loudest cheering section at their sporting events. The consummate adventurer, Joe also loved traveling internationally with his wife, and taking trips with his friends as often as his busy schedule would allow. And any day that he could take a long bike ride was a good day indeed.

Throughout his personal and professional career, Joe was best known for several remarkable characteristics: his open and warm nature with everyone he met; his athleticism (from tennis, to open water swimming, to biking 12 miles a day at age 80); his selfless dedication to family, community and parish; his spontaneity and love of adventure (to include hitchhiking, party crashing and impromptu family gatherings of all types); and above all, his unparalleled ability to make anyone, whether friend or stranger, feel special, seen and remembered.

Joe is survived by many loving family members: his wife Eva, his children Colleen (Michael), Eva-Marie (Christian) and Jennifer (Hicham), five grandchildren, and sisters Mary, Liz (Ed), Ann (Pete), Peg and Rose, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws. We will all miss him terribly, but aspire to live just as he did, to the very fullest.

Family will receive friends from 2-4 & 6-8PM on Sunday, October 13 at the STERLING-ASHTON-SCHWAB-WITZKE FUNERAL HOME OF CATONSVILLE, INC., 1630 Edmondson Avenue, Catonsville, MD 21228. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30AM, Monday, October 14 at the Chapel at St. Mark Church, 30 Melvin Avenue, Catonsville, MD 21228. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Franciscan Missions, P.O. Box 130, Waterford, WI 53185, or to Catholic Relief Services, PO Box 5200, Harlan, IA 51593, or to Smile Train, PO Box 96231, Washington, DC 20090.