Theodore Stuart Hanna Austin

FALLS VILLAGE — Theodore Stuart Hanna Austin, 26, of Falls Village, died at home on  June 20, 2010.

He was the beloved son of Jandi Hanna of Falls Village and William C. Austin of Sarasota, Fla.; the dear brother of Sophia Austin and her fiancé, Eric Lucia of Westfield, Mass.; the loving uncle of Aiden Lucia of Westfield; the adored grandson of Gillian Hanna of Kalamazoo, Mich.; the grandson of Robert Austin of Bradenton, Fla.; the stepson of Steven Butler of Northfield, Vt.; and the stepson of Lisa Austin of Sarasota.

Theo was born Feb. 27, 1984, near Philadelphia, Pa., and spent his childhood in Cornwall. He attended the Washington Montessori School and Cornwall Consolidated School and graduated from Housatonic Valley Regional High School.  

He had been studying aircraft maintenance at Connecticut Aerotech at Brainard Airport in Hartford, where he had happily found his niche and passion.  He was taking flying lessons and was in a period of his life when he felt himself to be full of purpose and surrounded by people who wished him well.  

A memorial service to celebrate Theo’s life was held June 26 at Music Mountain in Falls Village.  

In addition to his immediate family, Theo is survived by myriad loving aunts, uncles, and cousins; the veritable village who raised him and friends from all walks of life. He also leaves his dear teacher and friend, Merrilee Alexander.  

He was predeceased by his maternal grandfather, Roy W. Hanna; his paternal grandmother, Juanita C. Austin; and his maternal uncle, Stuart M. Hanna.

Donations in Theo’s memory may be made to the Ted Austin Memorial Scholarship Fund of Connecticut Aerotech and mailed to PO Box 285, Falls Village, CT  06031. Arrangements are under the care of the Rowe Funeral Home in Litchfield.

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