Obituary of L. Austin Durette

L. Austin Durette, 73, passed away peacefully on July 8, 2018 after a long illness. He was born in Waterbury, CT to Austin and Roslyn Durette. He joined the United States Navy and served on the USS Boston. He married the love of his life, Judy in 1969 and moved his family to Florida in 1975. He worked for Brevard County as a firefighter and was the Chief of the Courtenay Volunteer Fire Department in the late seventies and early eighties. He worked at Kennedy Space Center for various contractors as a cost analyst and electrician. As a master electrician and contractor, he owned his own business for 35 years. He was a member of the Merritt Island Moose Lodge and the American Legion. Austin was always building or repairing something. He loved to work with his hands and was always available to help anyone with anything. Austin enjoyed waterskiing and camping in his spare time. In the last few years, it was fun for him to watch his grandkids learn to ski at the lake where he taught his own kids. He will be missed greatly by all his family and friends. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Judy, daughter Melissa (Jason) Hensley, son Kurt (Lisa), and three grandchildren, Julia, AJ, and Carson. He is also survived by his sister Rochelle Jewett of CT, sister in law Doris Durette of Merritt Island, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and brother Neil. Please consider making donations in Austin’s name to Hospice of St. Francis, 1250-B Grumman Place, Titusville, FL 32780 A celebration of his life will be held on July 21st in the Fellowship Hall at MI Church, 1750 N. Courtenay Pkwy, Merritt Island from 3 pm to 5 pm. Casual attire please.