Nicholas P. Augustus, Sr. of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida and former resident of Darien passed away peacefully at his home on Feb. 19. He was 96.
Nicholas Augustus Sr., 96, passed away Feb. 19. His funeral will take place on March 1.
Born March 27, 1928, in Stamford, he was the son of the late George Agosto and Josephine Calvi Agosto Verducci. He was just shy of his 97th birthday and remained living independently until his death.
Mr. Augustus attended Darien Public Schools, graduating in 1946 from Darien High where he earned varsity letters in both football and baseball.
Upon graduation he was inducted into the U.S. Army 339th Field Artillery stationed in Cortina, Italy as part of the post-war occupation force. In Italy, he was a member of the motor pool that would lay the foundation for his career in the automotive industry.
When he returned from the war, he bought his 1947 Chevrolet and in 1949 married the great love of his life, Rose Ann Monti. They were happily married for 45 years enjoying vacations and nights out with a great circle of close friends until her death in 1994.
He attended GM Automotive School and J.M. Wright Technical School. He began his career at Karl-Melia Chevrolet, H&L Chevrolet and Karl Mobil station before fulfilling his dream of owning his own business with the opening of the Augustus Bros. Service Station in 1962 alongside his brother John. He was at the helm of the business for over 32 years while also offering his mechanical expertise, by guest teaching at the power mechanics class at Darien High School.
His business earned multiple awards from the Getty Oil Company for its success, and it dependably served many local businesses and residents while also employing a throng of his children’s high school friends over the years.
He was an avid golfer who fell in love with the game when he was young working as a caddy at Wee Burn Country Club. He continued his pursuit of the game more fervently upon his retirement to Florida where he was a charter member of the PGA National Golf Club in Palm Beach Gardens. He celebrated achieving a hole in one at the age of 75 on the 5th hole of the Fazio, nee Haig Course.
A devoted Catholic, he was a long-time member of St John Church where he served as an Usher and was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 4460. He and his brothers were honored by the state for being the only Knights of Columbus Council with five sibling members. He was also a member of the Piedmont Club.
He is survived by his four children: Anne van Geldern and her husband, Steve, of Rowayton; Carol Summers of Marietta, Georgia; Nicholas Jr. and his wife, Connie, of Stamford; and Joseph of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, Emily Gorder, Abby Maguire, Traci Lewis, Kate Wood, Russ and Stephen Burnham, Nicholas III and Caroline Augustus; and nine great grandchildren with the 10th arriving in April. He also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews.
Besides his wife and parents, he was predeceased by one grandchild, Tiffany Augustus, and his stepfather, Paul Verducci. He was also predeceased by all his siblings, George Agosto, Anthony, John and Joe Augustus, Joyce Waters and Nancy Marino, as well as by his companion, Millie Swarner.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, March 1 at St. John Roman Catholic Church, 1986 Post Road. Interment with full military honors will follow at Spring Grove Cemetery. Family and friends may call at Lawrence Funeral Home from 4 to 7 p.m., Friday, Feb. 28..
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Catholic Charities of Fairfield County, or the Metropolitan Golf Association (MGA) Caddie Scholarship Fund that provides need-based scholarships to caddies at local golf and country clubs.
— an obituary from Lawerence Funeral Home, where online condolences may be left