Obituary of Austin Allen Gardiner

Austin Allen Gardiner, 41, of Hampden, passed away unexpectedly on March 22, 2014 in Hermon. He was born on July 16, 1972 in Bangor Maine. Austin attended Searsport District High School as well as The Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship located at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education campus in Piney Point, MD, to train to become a merchant marine. He worked as a merchant marine for many years as well as doing asbestos removal, and driving trucks, most recently working for United Roads transportation. Austin was also a civilian contractor combat truck driver in Iraq transporting goods and equipment he was loving called “ Woodstock” by his friends there. In his spare time he enjoyed hot rods, antique cars, fishing, hunting, snowmobiling and trying his hand cooking on the grill. His greatest love in life was his children. He is predeceased by his paternal grandmother Janet Gardiner and best friend Jason Martz. Austin is survived by his grandfather Austin M. Gardiner of Unity; parents Wayne and Lucille (Thompson) Gardiner of Thorndike; his loving children Phillip Gardiner and his mother Stephanie Blake, Dakota and Zoe Gardiner and their mother Lisa Gardiner, and Kane Martz and his grandparents Lee and Gail Martz; his brother Wayne Gardiner and partner Brenda Brown of Searsport; his girlfriend Beth Kelley of Hampden; nephew and niece Nicholas and Ashley; as well as many other aunts uncles and cousins; his dog Captain and cats Zuzu and Felix; as well as numerous truck driving friends. Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday March 26, 2014 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Riposta Funeral Home 182 Waldo Avenue Belfast where funeral services will be held on Thursday March 27th at 10 a.m. Committal prayers will be held 11 am Thursday May 8, 2014 at Elmwood Cemetery in Searsport, ME Arrangements are under the care of Riposta Funeral Home 182 Waldo Ave. Belfast, Me 04915