Austin B. Nute, Jr.

Austin Blaine Nute, Jr., 85, of Cambridge passed away on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at his home with his loving family by his side. He was born in Lee, Maine on July 4, 1940 and was a son of the late Austin B. Nute, Sr. and June Dill Boyington.

Austin graduated from Mattanawcook Academy in 1959 in Lincoln, Maine. He then enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving during the Vietnam war as an aviation ordinanceman. On May 20, 1961 he married the former Frances Bankard of Cambridge, MD. Upon discharge he settled in Cambridge and held various jobs before going to work at the former DuPont plant in Seaford, DE as a machine operator. There he met his longtime ice fishing buddy Richard West. Austin joined the federal government in 1972 and spent 12 years as a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service. He simultaneously established M & N Insulation, with Howard Mitchell. In 1984, Austin took a leap of faith and left the security of his government job to pursue the dream of self-employment. He partnered with Barry Groves and founded Groves & Nute, Electrical and Home Improvement Contractors. The business grew and eventually the partners established separate companies. Austin returned to federal employment in 1990, becoming a Consumer Safety Inspector for the U.S. Department of Commerce. He retired from there after 25 years.

In 1986, Austin felt the call to bi-vocational ministry. He was ordained on December 7, 1986, and served many years in various Baptist churches. Austin was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Cambridge, serving in many capacities for over 50 years. Austin enjoyed several hobbies over the years. He participated in two bowling leagues, served as the president of the women’s softball league in Cambridge, took many ice fishing trips to his beloved Maine, and even obtained his private pilots license, flying single engine planes for several years. Austin was an accomplished carpenter and woodworker and spent many hours in his workshop. In his later years he took up the hobby of diamond painting. He was a lover of animals. 

He is survived by Frances Nute, his loving wife of 64 years, a daughter Nacole Russ and husband John of Salisbury, grandchildren Nicholaus Nute (Yuli), Rachel Dean (Alex) and Cole Russ, great grandchildren Aiden, Maisen, Jaxten and Arlo, brothers Paul Nute, Brent Lowell and Charles Lowell and many loving cousins, nieces and nephews. He is also survived by a former daughter-in-law Mary Serrano and husband Danny, grandchildren Andrea Schaid (Phil) and Christian Serrano, and great grandson Calvin. Besides his parents, Austin was preceded in death by a son Jeffrey Blaine Nute, a baby sister Barbara Nute, and a brother Wesley Lowell.

Austin’s family would like to thank the team from Coastal Hospice for their care, compassion, and support. Special thanks is also given to Dr. Mary Ann Moore and her family for their abundant kindness.

Pallbearers will be Cole Russ, Alex Dean, Leon Bankard, Nicholaus Nute, Aiden Nute, Maisen Nute, Brent Lowell and Don Burton.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, November 7, 2025 at 1pm at Thomas Funeral Home, P.A. in Cambridge with Rev. Steve Trice officiating. Interment will follow at Old Trinity Churchyard. Family will receive friends from 11am to 1pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Baywater Animal Rescue, 4930 Bucktown Road, Cambridge, MD 21613 or to Kitty Kat Kottage, 3711 Elliott Drive, East New Market, MD 21631.