You were a force of nature even at such a young age. Your mere physical presence was intimidating. I have memories of things happening to you, Mr. Helms in particular was not a fan. What I remember most about you was you said what you thought, no filters, which often did not end well for you. In my eighth grade book where we all wrote things, poems, memories, you wrote, Dav you outta make it bit with those legs...of course I remember this because my father ripped it out of the book and told me to stay away from you. You were a nice guy, with a big heart, and always fighting for whats right. May you rest in peace. We will honor you and celebrate your life as we gather one more time as the graduating class of 1973.
I remember seeing Austin, and his little brother on the Ashland bus that we both rode to Addison St. on our way to school sometimes( I lived east of Ashland near Irving, and Austin must have lived even further east). We were probably only in 2nd or 3rd grade. The Number 9 Ashland bus came from Southport, turned onto Irving, heading west to Ashland, and then continued south down Ashland. I got on at Irving and Janssen. I paid my 12 or 13 cents ( I can't remember which, but I usually gave the driver a quarter and he gave me back either 12 or 13 cents change) and proceeded to a nearby seat, when all of a sudden, I saw Austin and his brother, their heads poking from behind the back door exit. Being the innocent kid I was, I said, "Hi Austin!", Austin, put his finger up to his lips, as to say, "sshhh" . I said, "Austin, what are you doing back there?" Austin started laughing at my not understanding, and my blowing his cover. It turned out, that Austin and his brother would sneak onto the bus through the back door and save that 12 or 13 cents, I was too innocent back then to have ever thought of doing that. The driver said, "I know you guys are back there." I also remember Austin would swear a lot. I remember we were sitting in 7th grade class and someone said, "Austin, you couldn't say a sentence without a swear word." He answered that he sure as #*@! could; we all laughed. Austin was taller, swore, would sometimes call kids names and certainly call you out on any B.S. story you embelished. I think Austin was several years ahead of us in understanding what life was about. I was sorry to hear he died so young. Despite his rough side, I think Austin had a big heart. Austin was raw Chicago, like we just don't see much of anymore. Rest in Peace, Austin.
Cheryl Davern (Victorine)
Dear Austin,
You were a force of nature even at such a young age. Your mere physical presence was intimidating. I have memories of things happening to you, Mr. Helms in particular was not a fan. What I remember most about you was you said what you thought, no filters, which often did not end well for you. In my eighth grade book where we all wrote things, poems, memories, you wrote, Dav you outta make it bit with those legs...of course I remember this because my father ripped it out of the book and told me to stay away from you. You were a nice guy, with a big heart, and always fighting for whats right. May you rest in peace. We will honor you and celebrate your life as we gather one more time as the graduating class of 1973.
Cheryl
Robert Bank
I remember seeing Austin, and his little brother on the Ashland bus that we both rode to Addison St. on our way to school sometimes( I lived east of Ashland near Irving, and Austin must have lived even further east). We were probably only in 2nd or 3rd grade. The Number 9 Ashland bus came from Southport, turned onto Irving, heading west to Ashland, and then continued south down Ashland. I got on at Irving and Janssen. I paid my 12 or 13 cents ( I can't remember which, but I usually gave the driver a quarter and he gave me back either 12 or 13 cents change) and proceeded to a nearby seat, when all of a sudden, I saw Austin and his brother, their heads poking from behind the back door exit. Being the innocent kid I was, I said, "Hi Austin!", Austin, put his finger up to his lips, as to say, "sshhh" . I said, "Austin, what are you doing back there?" Austin started laughing at my not understanding, and my blowing his cover. It turned out, that Austin and his brother would sneak onto the bus through the back door and save that 12 or 13 cents, I was too innocent back then to have ever thought of doing that. The driver said, "I know you guys are back there." I also remember Austin would swear a lot. I remember we were sitting in 7th grade class and someone said, "Austin, you couldn't say a sentence without a swear word." He answered that he sure as #*@! could; we all laughed. Austin was taller, swore, would sometimes call kids names and certainly call you out on any B.S. story you embelished. I think Austin was several years ahead of us in understanding what life was about. I was sorry to hear he died so young. Despite his rough side, I think Austin had a big heart. Austin was raw Chicago, like we just don't see much of anymore. Rest in Peace, Austin.