Frank "Austin" Kershaw

Austin was born in Liverpool England, in 1927 to Frank Austin Sr. and Isabelle (Farrer) Kershaw. He joined the army at age 17 and fought in WW2 landing in Toulon. At the end of the war Austin joined the Palestine Police as Britain was giving up the mandate in Palestine, overseeing a succession of protests, riots and revolts between the Jewish and Palestinian Arab communities. He served as a British mounted police (horse and camel) officer earning the rank of sergeant. During this time Austin and a student nurse from Vancouver, British Columbia became pen pals. He stayed in Palestine for 2 years then arranged passage to Vancouver to become a lumberjack and to meet the lovely lady, Elsie Smith. On February 7, 1952 they were married. They raised 3 daughters, Deborah, Sandra and Diana. Austin and Elsie immigrated to So. California in 1962, returning to Vancouver Island, BC in 1977.

Austin had a great enthusiasm for God’s creation, amazed by what he experienced in the great outdoors. He had a passion for carpentry, and believed strongly you should never throw away any piece of wood, plywood, metal railing, light fixture or possible future building material resulting in a garage chock full of many unique construction resources. He always noted that you never know when you might need it! He spent many happy hours working in his workshop building numerous projects for his home and beloved church. He completely furnished his church, St. Wilfred of York Episcopal Church in Huntington Beach, California including the altar, a huge life size cross that hung behind the altar, the altar rail, pulpit, lectern, baptismal font and 30 pews. His last labour of love was refitting the altar at St. Peter’s Quamichan at age 89, although partially blind and with painfully arthritic hands. He was an avid music lover, especially classical. In his younger years he was a sprinter, gymnast, a successful boxer and bowler, played golf and took his wife and kids camping every chance he got. He loved fishing and crabbing in Nanaimo Harbour and spent many happy hours on his sailboat ‘Bluebird’, sharing this joy with his grandchildren. He loved animals and for the greatest part of his life always owned a dog (or two).

He was known for his loving kindness, infectious smile, and generous and considerate nature. He was a man of great compassion and his wife and children meant the world to him. His parting words before he left us were, “Thank you God for my family and… Tar-rah Els, I’ll leave the light on.”

Austin was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Isobel, his daughter Sandra Irene, brother John, sisters, Audrey and Marion. He is survived by his wife Elsie, his two daughters Deborah Rivet and Diana Kershaw, grandchildren Jennifer (Comyns) Duarte (Jon), Jessica (Melanson) Boyd (Josh) , Sandra Lynn Correia , Rich Smith and great grandchildren. Ella, Austin and Ronan.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday June 5, 2019, 1 PM at The Anglican Parish of St. John The Baptist, Cobble Hill (South Cowichan) 3295 Cobble Hill Road, Cobble Hill, BC V0R 1L6. A reception tea will be held in the church hall after the service.

A special note of thanks to Home Care Support/Duncan and Dr. Simon Glaude for his tender care of Austin through his difficult illness and death. You are a gift to us.

“Love one another as I have loved you”.