David Austin roses died with the death of David J. C. Austin, the chairman of David Austin Roses, at 67. He died at home in Shropshire after being diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
The company said the business would continue under its experienced leadership team and would work closely with the next generation of the Austin family. David J. C. Austin had led David Austin Roses for more than 30 years, after joining the business in Albrighton, Shropshire, in 1990.
David Austin Roses
His death closes a long period of direct family leadership at a business built around the breeding work of David C. H. Austin. Under David J. C. Austin’s leadership, David Austin Roses expanded significantly, and the company said it remained committed to serving its partners and customers around the world.
Richard Austin, James Austin and Olivia Austin
Richard Austin, James Austin and Olivia Austin paid tribute to their father in a statement that described how he carried their grandfather’s vision with humility and responsibility. They said: "First and foremost, Dad was a gardener. That was at the heart of who he was. He carried our grandfather’s vision with humility and an unwavering sense of responsibility, always putting the roses, the family business and its people before himself. He was kind and modest, with a playful spirit, a sense of adventure and a real enjoyment of life. He faced his illness with the same courage and dignity that he brought to life. Above all, he was our Dad, and words cannot express how much we will miss him. We couldn’t be more proud of him."
His death leaves the company with its stated plan to keep operating through its existing leadership while the Austin family stays involved. For customers and partners, that means the business is not being handed outside the family, even as it loses the second generation that carried the brand forward.
