Apley N. Austin Jr.

Penguin Builder

MORRIS — Apley N. Austin Jr., son of Marion Austin and Apley N. Austin Sr., died Sept. 15, 2010.

Apley graduated from Terryville High School in 1944. After high school, he served in the Merchant Marines and was honorably discharged in 1945. Apley attended the University of New Haven and received an honorary BS 2009 as a member of the first graduating class. In 1956, he married Joanne Dreyer Austin and they had two children, Susan Anderson of Markesan, Wis., and Phoebe Katzin of Litchfield.

Apley is also survived by his nieces, Betsy Goslee of Goshen, Marion Field of Goshen, Janet Urion of Morris, Judith Hinchcliff of Clinton, and his good friend and sister-in-law, Betty Austin of Morris. He had five grandchildren and 10 grand nieces and nephews.

Apley and Joanne lived in Morris from 1956 to 1996, and then in Bethlehem from 1996 to 2009. Apley was fortunate enough to live with his niece and nephew, Marion and Steven Field, from August 2009 to June 2010, and then moved to the loving community at Morris Senior Housing.

Apley was a very active member of the Morris Community, serving on the Wamogo Board of Education and the Bantam Lake Authority. He served on the board of selectmen in Morris from 1973 to 1977, and then in 1979 was elected first selectman of Morris and served three terms ending in 1985. Among his achievements as first selectman, Apley spearheaded the Bantam Lake dredging project, and the renovation and placement of the Morris Library at the Morris Town Hall. After moving to Bethlehem in 1996, Apley was a member of the Historical Society and helped in the renovation of the town museum.

Apley is well known for his beautiful wooden sailboats which he built in his shop in Morris from 1958 until the early 1980s. He then worked for a reevaluation company until retiring in the early 1990s.

A memorial service will take place 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, at Morris Congregational Church, 9 East St.

Donations may be made to Morris Senior Center, 109-21 East St., Morris 06763.

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