'Their Lives Have Called Us Together'

At a memorial service Saturday morning for Levi James Masalin and James F. Austin, cars filled three parking lots at Wheeler High School in North Stonington, and mourners quickly filled the folding chairs that covered the gymnasium floor.

The service was scheduled to begin at 10 a.m., but people were still arriving. When the bleachers that had been pulled out from the gymnasium walls began to fill up, more bleachers were pulled out.

“It is not their deaths, it is their lives that have called us together,” said Steve Masalin, who spoke about Levi, the youngest of his four children.

Levi Masalin, 15, of 24 Maple Terrace, died Sunday in a motorcycle crash that also claimed the life of his cousin, 22-year-old James Austin, formerly of Ashaway, RI.

On Saturday, parents Steve and Elizabeth Masalin and Mark and Ruth Austin gathered with their children, relatives and hundreds of friends to remember the two young men for their humor, their loyalty and caring for others, and especially for their unwavering faith in Jesus Christ.

Steve Masalin said his son was outgoing and full of life, a boy who would do anything to help people enjoy themselves. “But he also knew when to be serious,” and was known to offer counsel that was wise beyond his years, he said.

“He was a loving son and an adored little brother, and we held him as close as any parents or siblings can,” Masalin said. “But not as though he was our personal property,” he added. “Levi was God’s child.”

Levi and James were among 19 grandchildren of the late Rev. James A. Chappell and Alberta Chappell.  Most of the grandchildren, including Levi’s older brother, David, were present Saturday, and each shared a favorite passage of Scripture.

Among the readings, 1 Corinthians 15:54: “When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’”

Chris Hunt, a former Coast Guard Academy classmate of David Masalin, said the Masalin residence for years has been like a second home to many cadets. Levi was a little brother to all of them.

Hunt provided some levity with stories about playing Catch Phrase with Levi, even before he could understand the words, plus silly inside jokes about the Oh Boy! diner and “Zash,” the green-haired friend who would turn up in the most unexpected places.

“I never had a little brother, and he was just so fun and loving and caring,” Hunt said. “He had an elevated sense of humor, but then he did hang out with 22-year-olds.”

“Every memory I have of him makes me laugh,” said another close family friend who lived with the Masalins for a time. “I’m gonna miss that kid a lot.”

James Austin was a Senior Airman stationed at the Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota. A fellow service member and close friend remembered that “Austin” was a regular at his home, where his two small daughters referred to him as “Uncle Austin.”

“They would say, ‘Uncle Austin’s here!’ and he would come in and say, ‘Daddy’s home!’”

“He never had an opportunity to marry or have children of his own,” the friend said. “But all those cousins, those were his children. My two little girls, they were his children.”

Mark Austin spoke of the trials of Job in the Old Testament.  “Job fell down,” Austin said, “but we have had all of you in our family and in our church family to hold us up.”

The memorial service moved to Union Cemetery in North Stonington for interment. A reception followed at the North Stonington Bible Church on Jeremy Hill Road.