Austin Anthony Vaal

Austin Vaal, 85, died on Thursday, June 13, 2013 at Harrison Hospital. He was born in Mt. Vernon, Indiana and served in the Navy from 1945 to 1952 during World War II and the Korean War. Austin married Dolores Shand in Bremerton in 1949; they were married 39 years and had 3 children. Austin was a commercial electrician for Pacific Electric for 34 years, retiring in 1987 to care for his wife. He loved to fish and go bird hunting, and made many trips along the west coast visiting lighthouses which Dolores loved to photograph and paint.

After Dolores’s death in 1988, Austin moved to Westport where built a new house doing much of the work himself. In Westport, he met Hazel Wormstedt and they enjoyed several years together. They had many memorable trips, traveling to Alaska, Arizona, Branson MO, Connecticut and a once-in-a-lifetime cruise on the Queen Elizabeth II visiting the Mediterranean ports and flying home on the Concorde. In 2000, Austin was taken by his sons on a fishing trip to Rivers Inlet, British Columbia, known for their record size king salmon. Austin had fished there several times in his younger years and was thrilled to catch a 40 lb salmon on this trip.

Austin was a 60-year member of the IBEW and was always willing to help anyone with an electrical problem. He was a member of VFW Post 3057, he collected aluminum cans from local businesses and parks for the VFW “can fund” which funded children’s activities in the area. He received several letters and certificates of appreciation for his support and involvement in community projects.

He is survived by his children, Duane Vaal (Donel Marks) of Westport, WA, Steve Vaal (Toni) of Joyce, WA, & Kathleen Stanfill (Jack) of Bremerton; 7 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; sisters, Loretta Kurzendoerfer of Oklahoma, Mary Menner, Patricia Peck (Tom) & Kathleen Meyer (Richard) all of Indiana; and sister-in-law, Janice Enger of Maryland.

Austin was preceded in death by his wife, Dolores; companion, Hazel Wormstedt; brother, Joseph; and sisters, Marcel, Ruth, and Rose Mary.

Graveside services will be Friday, Jun 21 at 2 pm at Miller-Woodlawn Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to the VFW Post 3057 Children’s Fund, PO Box 1077, Westport, WA 98595.