We’d like to thank all of you who came to our membership meeting at Ocracoke on May 17! Our guest speaker was Ocracoke historian and author Philip Howard, who spoke to us about the Life Saving Service. Jeff West, CALO Superintendent, also gave updates on the state of the village, and there were tributes to the late Rudy Austin and the late Kenneth Burke. FPI president Connie Mason led us in singing “Throw Out the Lifeline”, which Kenneth had led during the hymn singing in the church at homecomings for many years.
Everyone enjoyed a delicious continental breakfast and door prizes for the lucky winners. It’s always a pleasure to meet at NCCAT. We enjoyed seeing attendees from as far away as Washington D.C. and Florida. Thank you all for making the effort to come!
REMINDER: Our spring membership meeting will take place two weeks from today, May 17, at 10 AM in the NCCAT building at Ocracoke. Our guest speaker will be Ocracoke author and historian Philip Howard, whose roots on Ocracoke go back to 1759. All are invited; you don’t need to be a member to attend. We hope to see you there!
Rudy Leroy Austin, a cherished native son of Ocracoke, North Carolina, was born on February 3, 1942, and peacefully passed away on April 17, 2025, at the age of 83.
Rudy’s life was a testament to dedication, service, and love for his community. He graduated from Ocracoke School in 1961 before serving his country with honor in the United States Air Force as an Airman 3rd Class from 1961 to 1965. Following his military service, Rudy worked off island before joining the North Carolina Department of Transportation Ferry Division, where he faithfully navigated the Ocracoke/Hatteras ferry as a captain for 30 years.
Rudy was a true working waterman. He spent his life on the water. He fished pound nets, pulled crab pots, and shared his passion for island history and politics with both locals and visitors as he ferried them to and from his beloved Portsmouth Island.
Rudy’s commitment to his community was further reflected in his active participation in various organizations and associations. He was a proud member of the Mounted Boy Scout Troop 290, Tideland Electric Membership Corp., the Masonic Lodge, the Ocracoke Civic and Business Association, the Ocracoke Foundation, Friends of Portsmouth Island, and the Ocracoke Waterways Commission. His contributions were deep and wide and recognized by the Ocracoke School Alumni Association Citizenship Award, the Ocracoke Preservation Society Cultural Heritage Award, and the Ocracoke School Community Service Award.
Rudy was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Marion Forbes Austin and Junius Perry Austin.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Patricia Gibbs Austin; his children, Rudy Wade Austin (Gwen) and Lena Austin O’Neal (Mark); his treasured grandchildren, Sydney Elizabeth Austin, Colby Todd Austin, Hayden Bryce Austin, Maren Grace Donlon, and Paxton Fowler O’Neal; and his siblings, June Yvette Herring (Ray) and Donald Dwayne Austin (Cindy).
A celebration of Rudy’s life will be held at the Ocracoke United Methodist Church on Monday, May 12, 2025, at 1:00 pm. The family kindly requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Ocracoke Civic & Business Association-Island Christmas Decorations, PO Box 456, Ocracoke, NC 27960 or The Friends of Portsmouth Island-Restoration of Henry Pigott’s House, PO Box 2303, Morehead City, NC 28557, ensuring Rudy’s legacy of service and community support continues on.
Rudy Leroy Austin’s life was one marked by steadfast service, unwavering dedication, and a profound love for his community, leaving an indelible mark on all who had the privilege to know him.
Twiford Funeral Homes, Outer Banks is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.TwifordFH.com.
We posted this previously, but this is now an ongoing project with no specific deadline. So, if you were considering submitting something on your family but thought it was too late, it’s not! We’d like to have as many families represented as possible, so please participate if you can. Help is available!
Our spring meeting will be held at 10 AM on May 17 at the NCCAT building on Ocracoke. You don’t need to be a member to attend; all are invited! Our guest speaker will be Ocracoke historian and author Philip Howard, so save the date! If planning a day trip, NCCAT is located within walking distance of the Cedar Island/Swan Quarter ferry terminal. If staying overnight, you should start looking into lodging now. Rooms at Ocracoke book up quickly for that time of year. We hope to see you all there! Come on out and help us support and celebrate Portsmouth.
Pictured above at the FPI booth are Oneida Levine (left) and Connie Mason. It was a cold but successful weekend and we appreciate the volunteers who helped out that day. Thanks to David Brown and Marjorie and Dallas Spruill who also braved the cold weather to help!
This Saturday, December 7, The Friends of Portsmouth Island will have a booth at the Waterfowl Weekend at the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum at the end of the road on Harkers Island. We’ll be there from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM on SATURDAY ONLY. Our tent will be located on the right side as you’re facing the museum, in the same area as the Park Service tent. You’ll be able to sign up for membership as well as purchase FPI T-shirts, sweat shirts, and hoodies. They make great Christmas gifts!! Cash, checks and Paypal will all be accepted. If you’re in the area, please stop by!!
We’d like to thank all who attended our meeting on Saturday; there were 39 in attendance. Here is our newly-elected board who will serve a 2-year term beginning in January 2025. From left to right: Kathy McNeilly (Immediate Past President), Barbara Gaskins-Eugene (Director), Julius Coronel (Treasurer), Frances Eubanks (Director), Emily Summey (Secretary – peeking up in the back), Jean Webber (Director), Connie Mason (President), Rosanne Penley (Director), Glenn Dunn (Director), Rudy Austin (Director), David Brown (Vice President).
Thanks to the Sanitary Restaurant for letting us host our meeting there, to our speakers, and those who helped with arrangements, set up and clean up. Several people stayed after the meeting to enjoy some good seafood. It was good to see everyone and we look forward to our spring meeting at Ocracoke on May 17, 2025.
