Obituary of Austin Frank Birmingham

Austin Frank Birmingham PEABODY—Austin Frank Birmingham, 77, beloved husband of Lillian (Tyner) Birmingham, died Saturday Feb. 9, 2008 at the Shaughnessy-Kaplan Rehab Hospital in Salem after a long illness. Born in Peabody, he was the son of the late Austin E. and Nellie Mae (Porter) Birmingham. He was a lifelong resident of the city. Mr. Birmingham claimed a false age so that he could enlist in the U.S. Naval Reserve at age 16, and served for two years aboard the USS Sea Dog Submarine. He then joined the U.S. Army, serving in the Pacific Theatre in Japan in the 35th Infantry when the Korean War broke out. He received three Purple Heart Awards, and also was assigned to the Honor Guard for General Mac Arthur and then Gen. Matthew Ridgeway. He proudly served as a Peabody Police Officer, and attained rank of Detective Sargeant before completing 33 years of service, retiring 12 years ago. He also served as an Essex County Deputy Sheriff for six years. Frank was a member of the Mass Police Association, V.F.W. Arthur DeFronzo Post 2346 of Saugus, the Peabody American Legion Post 1011, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, the 25th Infantry Division Association. He also enjoyed being a car hobbyist, watching movies, coin collections, and a member of the History Channel Club. He is survived by: his wife, Lillian (Tyner) Birmingham of Peabody, with whom he was married for 20 years; four daughters, Diane & David Triplett of Haverhill, Debra & Paul Vaillancourt of Danvers, Nancy & Michael Harrison of Beverly, and Meridith & Jack Doucette of Phoenix; eight grandchildren, Micah, Samuel, Michael, Jamie, Daniel, Matthew, Adam, and Jesse; one great-grandson Sam, and he will be missed by his beloved dog Emily and cat Nikki. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ann (Libby) Birmingham. A visitation will be held on Tuesday from 2 - 4 & 6 - 8 P.M. in the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St. location, Peabody. His Funeral Ceremony will be held on Wednesday at 11 AM in the funeral home to which relatives and friends are kindly invited. Burial will be in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Peabody. Memorial donations may be made to the Academic Scholarship Fund of Arthur F. DeFronzo Post 2346 VFW, 190 Main St., Saugus, MA 01906.