Megyesi, Austen Elmer
(February 23rd, 2022)
1937 – 2022
Austen Elmer Megyesi, born March 28,1937 in St. Louis, SK, passed into the arms of Jesus on February 23, 2022 in Penticton, BC. He was the 10th child in a family of 17 children and lived on a farm both in St. Louis, SK and Matsqui, BC.
At age 16 he apprenticed as a carman with CP Rail and eventually worked at several automotive service stations before opening his own in Calgary, AB. It was in Calgary that he met the love of his life, Dianne Dickieson where they were married in May, 1960. His two daughters, Leanne and Pamela, were born there.
In 1971, they moved to Balfour, BC to purchase a gas station on the Kootenay Lake ferry landing, and then in 1974 to Penticton, BC where Austen operated his automotive businesses. He was fondly known as a conscientious and hard-working mechanic at Austen’s Auto Barn until his retirement in 1993.
Upon his retirement he and Dianne moved once again to Balfour to host many visitors at their bed and breakfast until Dianne’s passing in 2000. Austen returned to Penticton in 2003 to be with his daughters and their families. Austen became a much-loved resident of The Hamlets at Penticton in 2010.
He was predeceased by his loving wife, Dianne; his parents and several siblings.
He is survived by his daughters, Leanne (Kelly) Fairholm and Pamela (Brian) Hartmann; grandchildren, Matthew (Amie) Fairholm, Amy (Daniel) Loewen, Melissa Hartmann, Sierra Hartmann and Tessa Hartmann; great-grandchildren, Aubrey Fairholm, Isaiah and Emily Loewen; sisters, Irene (Lyle) Horrill, Shirley (John) Kowalchuk, Alma (Ernest) Engler, Aileen Toews and Ila Iverson; brothers, Allan (Carol) Megyesi and Harold (Margaret) Megyesi; brothers in law, Barry (Terry) Dickieson, Rick (Judy) Dickieson and Gail (Jean) Myers as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the entire staff of The Hamlets at Penticton and Dr. Richard Tatham for the excellent care they gave Austen.
A Celebration of Austen’s Life will be held on Saturday, March 5, 2022 at 2:30 p.m. at Providence Funeral Homes Penticton Chapel. Because of Covid 19 restrictions you are invited to watch the live stream of the service and leave condolences for the family at www.providencefuneralhomes.com.
In lieu of other tributes please consider donating in Austen’s memory to the MS Society at https://mssociety.ca.
