Austin L. Soule, 80, of Waldoboro, passed away at MaineGeneral Medical Center in Augusta on Dec. 7. Born on April 24, 1932, he was the son of Alice Gammon and Eldred Soule.
In his early years Austin worked in the woods, cutting and hauling wood the old fashioned way, with a team of horses. Among his many jobs, he worked for the towns of Waldoboro, Warren, and Union, plowing snow and helping to maintain the roads.
After working for 30 years at Bath Iron Works, he retired in 2001. Although he was officially retired, he was never idle. He loved to take camping trips in New Hampshire with his wife Elizabeth, sightseeing, and visiting friends along the way. He enjoyed mowing lawns; to him it was more of a hobby than work.
If anyone needed welding done, he was happy to help them. Many clam diggers relied on him to make handles for their clam forks. He would accommodate neighbors and friends if they needed welding done on equipment. In past years, many who owned a citizen band radio knew Austin by his handle, “Welderman.”
Austin belonged to many local Granges and enjoyed participating in their meetings and events. He went to the movies with his grandchildren, but would admit later that he napped now and then when they were not looking.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his first wife, Violet “Louise”; second wife, Elizabeth; sister, Barbara; brothers, Bill and Buddy Soule, and Junior Gray; and son-in-law, Fred Lee.
Austin is survived by daughters, Maryjane Soule of Rockland, Judy Smith and her son Shawn, Linda Mountainland, husband Charles and their children Jamie, Brandon and Nick of Topsham, and Laura Soule, companion Ronald of Rockland and children Shane, Garrett and Gavan; son, David Soule, wife Cindy of Warren, and children Matt, David Jr., and Shannyn; a great-granddaughter; stepchildren, Loretta, Janet Lee, Dorothy Ryan, Fred Ryan, Leon Ryan, Ricky Ryan and Carol Collamore, all of Waldoboro; sisters, Berniece of Connecticut, Bette Flagg and Terry Gifford of Waldoboro, and Terry’s children, Michelle and Wayne; Judy Brann of Washington; brothers, Bruce Soule and Barry Soule of Waldoboro; and many nieces and nephews.
He will be laid to rest privately in the Sawyer Cemetery in Warren.
Condolences, and messages for the family, may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
