Terrence C. Austin, 81, of Cottage Hill Road, retired chef and a Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient for his duties in Korea, died Sunday at Mercy Hospital of throat cancer. Mr. Austin learned how to cook from his mother when he was a child. His cooking skills advanced when he became a trained cook in the Marines, before becoming a rifleman. After completing his tour in Korea, Mr. Austin was hired by a restaurant where he worked in the kitchen and gained more cooking experience. Despite the long work hours, Mr. Austin’s passion and drive for becoming a chef grew over the years. Mr. Austin usually worked 12 hour shifts and long hours on holidays. He didn’t get to spend a lot of quality time with his family until he retired. “He worked …show more content…
“As soon as we stepped in the door we’d smell the hams, turkeys, greens, and baked pies. He liked Deacosta’s because they let him use his imagination to create new dishes and they gave him a big bonus every Christmas.”
Mr. Austin’s specialty was creating dishes filled with edible colors and designs. Peggy Deacosta said that Austin cooked the best desserts in town. Mr. Austin enjoyed his retirement and got to spend more time with his family. He was also a dedicated member of the New Day Singers male chorus of St. Mark African Methodist Episcopal Church. “Since he retired he just loved singing at church,” said Mrs. Austin. “But he smoked those damn Camels, two or more packs a day, and that’s what killed him, caused his cancer. I wanted him to stop but he was hooked, really hooked on ’em ever since Korea.”
In addition to his wife, Mr. Austin is survived by his two brothers, Edward, of Chicago, Robert, of Montreal, Canada, three sons, Walter and Terrence, of Atlanta, Austin, of Chicago, and two daughters, Heather and Betty, of Chicago and 14 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren. His funeral will be held at St. Mark African Methodist Episcopal church at 4 p.m. Friday, followed by burial in All Saints