POUGHKEEPSIE – Austin Edward “Austy” Short, 87, died peacefully at home with his loving family by his side on August 3, 2022 after a long illness.
He was born in Fountain Hill, Pennsylvania to Paul and Helen Short on August 8, 1935. Along with his two sisters, he attended Quakertown High School where he was a star athlete. He lettered in football and basketball from 1951 – 1953. He continued his success in athletics at Lehigh University where he lettered in varsity football and lacrosse. For his athletic prowess at both institutions, he was elected to the Pennridge-Quakertown Hall of Fame in 1994.
At Lehigh he was very popular and demonstrated leadership in a number of areas. He was elected president of his fraternity, Sigma Nu, and to the Senior Class Cabinet. He was also captain of the Lehigh Lacrosse team and was selected to WHO’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.
After graduating from Lehigh in 1957, he continued to pursue his love of football, by becoming the coach of the ends on the Muhlenberg College football team. He moved to the Mid-Hudson Valley joining IBM in 1960. He retired from IBM in 1992 after spending his career in Human Resources attaining the position of Vice President in Employment Solutions, an IBM subsidiary.
Austin is survived by his wife of 28 years, Linda; his son, Jeff Short and his wife Lorrie; his son, Dan Short and his wife Jeanne; his grandchildren, Austin and his wife Tara, Madison, Carsen, Heather and her husband Kyle, Samantha, and Zachary and his wife Kerry; his great-grandchildren, Carter and Mila; his former wife and mother of his sons, Margery Short; his sister, Sue Tirjan; and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his two sons, Andrew Short and Thomas Short; his parents; and his sister, Jackie Wiley.
Austin’s family was extremely important to him, with many happy memories at the “farm”, his sons’ sporting events, celebrating their successes and their milestones. After retiring, Austin and his wife moved to the Jersey Shore, brining additional memories with children and grandchildren on the beach and boardwalk, returning to Poughkeepsie in 2016.
During Austin’s long illness, he had a guardian angel on earth in his sister-in-law, Nancy Miller. She spent many long hours helping to care for him, giving her medical expertise and her gentle care. He is thanking “Nurse” Nancy now.
The family would like to thank Hudson Valley Hospice for their unfailing care and support for Austin during the last year. This care truly helped ease Austin’s final journey.
Visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, August 23 at the McHoul Funeral Home of Fishkill, Inc., 1089 Main Street, Fishkill. A memorial service will follow at 2 p.m. He will be buried at the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery at the family’s discretion.
Donations can be made in Austin’s memory to Hudson Valley Hospice Foundation, 80 Washington Street, Suite 204, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 (www.hvhospice.org) or the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (www.stjude.org).
For online tributes, you can visit Austin’s Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.