Austin D. Chandler

Austin David Chandler, son of Emma and John David Chandler, and younger brother of Hilda Made Chandler, was born 90 years ago in Bronx, NY.  The family soon moved to Brooklyn and spent part of their time in Miami, FL. In 1944, he joined the US Navy, stationed in Fort Lauderdale and later serving on the USS Cowpens in the Pacific Fleet, finishing his service in San Diego, CA.  After being honorably discharged in 1946, he attended the University of Miami, and then returned to New York City where he joined the U.S. Treasury Department as a Bank Examiner.  In the summer of 1951, he met Connie Davis in Wyndham, NY. They married in 1952 in her home town of Port Byron, NY and moved to Amity Harbor, NY that year, where children Howard (1953) and Nancy were born (1955). In 1957, the family relocated to Miami, FL, where Austin became an airline pilot insurance agent, where their son Russell (1962) was born.  Austin became a boater and enjoyed deep sea fishing in the Florida Keys, where the family frequently vacationed. Austin was also a lover of animals and had pets his entire life. He was an avid horse racing fan, owning shares in two race horses. In 1976, Austin became a real estate agent and moved the family to Gainesville, FL. During the late 1970’s and 1980’s, after the children left home, Austin and Connie lived in several locations, with Austin serving both as a book keeper and as a time share salesman, before settling in Winter Garden, FL in 1989.  In 1999, Austin and Connie retired to Longmont, CO, and enjoyed frequent visits with family to Del Mar Race Track in San Diego. He is survived by his wife Connie Chandler, daughter Nancy Chandler and son Russell Chandler, granddaughters Hillary Clark, Leah Chandler, and Evelyn Chandler, and grandsons Jason Clark and Zachary Chandler, and great grandson Julian Howard Clark. Austin was preceded in death by his son Howard Chandler in 2011.