Samuel Austin McElroy

Samuel Austin McElroy was a dignified man, cut from the cloth of a bygone era; he was a proud veteran and devout Catholic, an accomplished attorney and esteemed member of his community, a dedicated family man and revered father, grandfather, brother, uncle and husband. A provider and a protector with an unyielding sense of duty, honor and service, he was a refined, well-educated man with sophisticated interests, yet he appreciated the simple things, like a frankfurter at a baseball game, as much as he did the opera. He was a collector, a patriot, a Brooklyn Dodger fan with a razor sharp wit and he was one hell of a golfer. He was a man of few words whose character spoke volumes. His presence has left an indelible mark on his family, friends and community and he will be terribly missed by everyone who knew him.

Austin passed away peacefully at Lakeview Hospital on July 25th 2024, in Covington, LA, with his beloved wife by his side. He was born on May 4th, 1942 in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, NY to Samuel and Kathleen McElroy. He was called by his middle name Austin, rather than his given name Samuel, to avoid any confusion in the house about which “Sam” was being addressed, as he was the fifth successive Samuel McElroy in his family. His father was a New York City surveyor and fourth generation descendant of a prominent family of engineers. His engineering firm was founded in the 1850’s in the city of Brooklyn and remained in the family until the 1980’s. As a child, his father told him stories of how his predecessors helped to shape the growing city of New York, planning the modern street system in the city of Brooklyn, laying out railways across the city and designing the Brooklyn Water Works system, among others. Although he pursued a different career, he would retell these precious stories with great pride in his later years, encouraging that same sense of pride and history in his children.

In the late 1940’s his family moved to Merrick, NY in the growing suburbs of Long Island. There he enjoyed an active and vibrant youth with his younger siblings, Bernadette, Terence and Marcia and the home on Woodbine Avenue remained at the center of his family life for nearly 60 years. The family were active parishioners in Cure of Ars Church in Merrick and Austin, the former altar boy, often recounted stories of the strict Dominican sisters who made him kneel in rice and rapped his knuckles with a ruler when he wasn’t behaving. He also fondly recalled memories of his summers at sleep away camp in the Catskills, the carefree streets of his leafy neighborhood teeming with children and playmates and the languor of pleasant afternoons spent with his family on the golf course at Southward Ho Country Club. 

With no secondary institutions offering a Catholic education on Long island that satisfied his parents, Austin was enrolled in St. John’s Preparatory High School and made the long commute from Merrick to Brooklyn on the Long Island Railroad for his high school years. Austin was a big baseball fan and though he was a good student, he couldn’t resist cutting class to go to Dodger games at Ebbets field during the 1956 season. Being a young baseball fan in the1950’s and traveling in the shadows of those hallowed grounds was pure bliss. He wore a Dodgers or a Mets hat his whole life and every time he put it on he was a 10 year old boy again. Those special years left a mark and it was clear how he relished the simpler times of his childhood.

Being well prepared for a college education, Austin would often tell his family that he had 2 priorities when he looked for a school to attend: a good quality Catholic education and easy access to a world class golf course. He found both of these at Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama where he played on the golf team and studied Philosophy. As he completed college he was faced with the decision to take up the work of his father and join the family business or pursue another career. Following his graduation from Spring Hill in 1964 he moved to New Orleans and entered Tulane University Law School.

It was there in New Orleans that he met a beautiful and outgoing young sorority president, Patricia Smith, a southern belle with the charm to soften his hard Yankee edges. They fell in love and were engaged to be married soon after he earned his law degree from Tulane. However their plans for the future were abruptly put on hold when Austin was called upon, like so many of his contemporaries, to serve his country in a time of war. As the Vietnam war and draft expanded in 1967 there were other avenues of service that would have allowed him to avoid combat but he accepted his duty with a deep faith in God and country. Shortly after his deployment, his brother Terence would also be called upon to serve. After basic training he was sent to the 4th Training Brigade for military police instruction at Fort Gordon, Georgia. Austin was deployed in October 1968 and served in the Judge Advocate General in Quang Ninh province until August 1969, entering Vietnam at the height of the Tet Offensive. Through the grace of God and the prayers of their mother, after more than 10 months overseas, both Austin and Terence returned safe and healthy. Austin was a Specialist 2nd Class (Sergeant) having received numerous decorations- the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, The Army Commendation Medal and an Expert M-14 Badge. Like many veterans, Austin spoke little of his time in Vietnam, but it was an experience that shaped his identity and he was rightfully proud of his service to his country. 

Equally proud of his service and elated by his return was his fiancee in waiting, Patricia. They were married on February 7th, 1970 in Chicago, Illinois near the home of her parents. They moved to Mt. Sinai, NY on Long Island and began a life together, Austin as an Assistant District Attorney in Suffolk County and Patricia as a school teacher. Shortly after they welcomed their first child, Jennifer Ann on March 25th, 1972 and by 1976 the house was bursting at the seams; Maelissa Kathleen was born on January 6th, 1975 and Susan Marie on March 1st, 1976. Despite the relative peace they enjoyed during these years, there were difficult times. Austin’s mother, whom he adored his entire life, died of cancer in 1977. 

A visit to New Orleans for a law school reunion sparked an interest in relocating for new opportunities and in 1978 Austin moved with his family to Covington, Louisiana on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain. He studied hard to pass the Louisiana state bar exam and opened his own practice in downtown Covington at 426 E. Rutland St. As the family settled in and began to lay down roots in their new environs they welcomed a 4th child, Samuel Austin, on April 18th, 1981. 

Austin grew his practice and established his reputation as an erudite attorney and an expert in his field. At the same time he and Patricia became deeply involved in their parish church and school, St. Peter’s. Austin served as the President of the Board of Education, Patricia taught in the school and both were actively involved in lay ministries. The move also brought the family closer to Patricia’s parents, sister and nieces and Covington became home to their extended family. During these years the boy from Brooklyn leaned in to his new surroundings and culture; he wore cowboy boots, he owned a gun, he hunted, he was active in a Mardi Gras krewe in Covington, the Krewe of the Knights of Columbus, and one year his wife Patricia was the Queen of the parade. He became a leader in his community and his faith, his integrity and his actions wove his family story into the fabric of that place and time. 

Austin’s reputation as an expert attorney in Covington drew him into a sensational case and legal saga that was later dramatized in the Hollywood film, “Dead Man Walking.” Austin was asked to provide defense for the accused serial killer, a deranged man who admitted to his vicious deeds. Many members of the community couldn’t understand how or why he would provide defense for a person accused of such heinous acts. It was very important that the defendant, who was facing capital murder charges and the death penalty, received a competent defense and Austin accepted this duty, understanding how his defense might impact future appeals. Despite the backlash and ignorance including vandalism and hateful attacks, he did the honorable thing and solidified his reputation in the legal community as a man of great ability and integrity. During these years Austin faced another family tragedy when in 1985 his brother Terence passed away, an early victim of the AIDS epidemic. In the remaining years he would speak of Terence whenever anyone mentioned someone brilliant just to let you know that no one was as smart as his brother. 

In 1988, Austin’s legal career would steer the family back to New York and that summer they moved to New City, New York, beginning a period of years that would see his family move back and forth from New York to Louisiana several times. From 1988 until 2001 Austin worked at Sacks and Sacks law firm at 150 Broadway just steps from the World Trade Center. The family returned to Merrick in 1990 and Austin returned to the long commute of his youth. These years marked a “full circle” period of time in Austin’s life. His family returned to Cure of Ars and the family home on Woodbine Avenue was still a center of activity and much time was spent with his father, sisters and nieces and nephews. Tragically, his sister Marcia’s husband passed away suddenly in 1992. In the years following, Austin did all that he could to provide help and paternal love to his sister and nieces and nephews and he developed a special bond and a fierce pride in her children and these relationships.

After working for more than 30 years in the field of law, Austin decided it was time to retire and he and Patricia moved back to Covington, LA in early 2001. Just a few months later, the nation was attacked and the Twin Towers fell at the feet of his former office, causing unspeakable devastation. While his family mourned for our country, they rejoiced at his fortunate timing and the beginning of this new stage in his life. Austin enjoyed these “golden years” doing all of the things he enjoyed most; he traveled frequently to see his grandchildren in Colorado and New York, he took trips with his golf buddies, he toured the holy sites of Europe with his wife and best friends and he had a McElroy family reunion in Mexico with all of his children and grandchildren. Although Austin battled lung cancer and beat it in his later years, he remained energetic, vital and active, exercising at the gym, gardening, playing golf and volunteering at the church.

In Austin’s last year of life, he experienced many difficult complications related to his failing health, however he remained steadfastly committed to caring for his ailing wife and securing her care for the future. After recently moving to St. Anthony’s Assisted Living Facility in Covington, LA and finding a comfortable place for his wife to spend her remaining years, content and resolute in the face of death, he took his final rest. It was the final act of love and service in a life well lived. 

Austin is survived by his wife, Patricia of Covington, LA, children; Jennifer (Jay) de la Houssaye of Covington, LA, Mae (Harris) Greene of Steamboat Springs, CO, Suzy McElroy of Covington, LA and Sam (Jenny) McElroy of Babylon, NY, grandchildren; Caleigh Greene, of Denver, CO, Caroline de la Houssaye of New Orleans, LA, Clayton de la Houssaye of Covington, LA, Christopher de la Houssaye of Covington, LA, Charlie Greene of Steamboat Springs, CO, and S. Austin McElroy and Cameron McElroy of Babylon, NY, and sisters; Bernadette McElroy of Wilkes-Barre, PA and Marcia Zaghloul of Wilkes-Barre, PA, as well as 6 nieces and 3 nephews. He is preceded in death by his father Samuel and mother Kathleen, of Merrick, NY and his brother Terence of Manhattan, NY.

The family requests that Masses be said in his name. Care has been entrusted to Bagnell & Son Funeral Home.