Augustine “Gus” John Furton

Augustine “Gus” John, age 26, on May 18, 2025, of Philadelphia, PA.

Survived by his parents, Lesley (nee Ruskin) and Edward “Ted” Furton, and his siblings, Nicholas, Clare, Evangeline, and Magdalene.

As a boy, Gus served for several years at the altar of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Philadelphia. He liked his nickname, but few could pronounce the longer name correctly. They turned it into “AW-gus-teen.” He always preferred “Gus.” St. Augustine (“a-GUS-tin”), after whom he was named, is the patron saint of printers, theologians, and brewers. An interesting combination.

Gus enjoyed challenges, especially physical ones. He practiced parkour, the attempt to travel a distance in a straight line regardless of physical obstacles. He could climb walls, jump fences, and thoroughly frighten observers. He had amazing gymnastic skills. He was able to run, leap into the air, land on his fists, and do a standing somersault. He exercised and developed considerable strength.

One of his happiest times was when he went on the Camino de Santiago, the pilgrimage to the Shrine of Apostle James in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain. This several days’ trip on foot joined his faith with physical challenges and adventure. He was amazed by the friendliness of all he met. He spoke often of this experience and said he would love to do it again. The certificate of the pilgrimage completion was always on his wall.

He read classic novels and cutting edge-science fiction. He played chess. Like most young men, he enjoyed video games, but he also wrote plot lines for games. He wrote a great deal. He kept journals where he recorded his thoughts. Over the years, he produced a stack of notebooks. These were where he would vent his frustrations, imagine his future life, and dream about a better world for himself.

He was happiest when he was with his friends. There was nothing more important to him than friends that he could trust and spend time with. They were his joy. He treasured his childhood friends, Bobby, Willem, and John, who always remained dear to him. He found new friends among his roommates: James, Randy, and others who visited the apartment where he lived. There was no better day for Gus than one in which he spent the entire time from morning til evening with friends.

His close friends knew about Gus’ troubles. His mind was troubled by ideas that terrorized him. He was convinced that his life was threatened and that he would soon be harmed or killed. He fought hard against these irrational fears, but as he grew older, they became more menacing. They crowded out his own peaceful thoughts and brought him great misery. He tried mightily to maintain control. Eventually, he was overwhelmed.

We will always remember the wonderful Gus: the sweet little boy, the confident (and sometimes exasperating) teenager, the earnest young man who was trying to make his way in the world. He made us better for being a part of our lives. We look forward to seeing him again at the resurrection, whole once more in body and in mind.

Relatives & friends are invited to his Viewing Monday evening, June 9th 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM at the DAnjolell Memorial Home of Broomall, 2811 West Chester Pike, Broomall, PA 19008. On Tuesday morning, June 10th his Funeral Mass 10:30 AM at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Parish 6301 Woodbine Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19151. Inurnment Private.

Contributions in Augustine’s memory may be made to THE JED FOUNDATION https://jedfoundation.org/other-ways-to-give/

www.danjolell.com

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