A RESPECTED Huddersfield teacher, keen horticulturalist and celebrated cook has died.
Austin Kiernan died on April 22, aged 96.
Austin, known as ‘Pop’ was born in Widnes, Cheshire.
He left school at 14 to supplement his family’s income.
Mr Kiernan joined the Navy aged 18 and during World War II served on destroyers defending North Atlantic convoys.
During those years he married Edith who was serving in the Women’s Auxiliary Airforce.
After the war the couple settled in Huddersfield and Austin trained as a teacher before teaching at various schools in the area including St Augustine’s School and All Saints Comprehensive School where he finished his teaching career in 1977 as a senior teacher.
Austin enjoyed teaching sports, music and choir, as well as academic subjects and took pupils on schools trips abroad.
He was involved with Yorkshire and England Schoolboys’ Rugby League.
In his spare time Mr Kiernan made wine, beer and tobacco which he would cure and smoke in his pipe or roll into cigars.
A keen cook, Austin was known for his croissants, burgers and soups.
He also enjoyed brass band marches and opera and was a Huddersfield Giants season ticket holder, regular churchgoer and member of various working men’s clubs.
Mr Kiernan is survived by his wife, five children and nine grandchildren.
