John Augustin, in 2016, tends to his crops despite having lost a leg 10 years earlier in a tractor accident. The lifelong farmer persevered and relearned to walk and farm. He died the day before Thanksgiving after a sudden fall, his loved ones said. 

By Josh Lanier From Daily Voice

Greenwich is mourning the loss of its beloved "Farmer John."

John Augustin of Augustine’s Farm died after a fall the day before Thanksgiving, the farm said in a Monday, Dec. 1, Facebook post. He was 81. 

John Augustin and his wife, Kathy, had run the Greenwich farm since taking it over from John's parents in 1952. The couple grew pumpkins, corn, and Christmas trees and tended to their chickens and the wild animals that could always find a good meal at the King Street farm. 

The couple's seasonal farm stand was a major draw for people across the region, both for the produce and for John, who is remembered for his compassion, comedy, and unwavering perseverance that locals say defined the farm’s spirit.

In 2006, John lost a leg in a tractor accident. But he refused to complain or slow down. He got a prosthetic leg and, within a short period, relearned to walk and was back on the tractor, tending to his crops and business.

He pulled through that life-altering injury thanks to his wife, whom he called his "farmerette" and the love of his life, he told the Greenwich Free Press in 2011.

The date for his funeral or memorial service has not been announced as of Tuesday afternoon.