UMVA has learned that beloved actor Paul Avery and his wife Sheila have tragically died in a fire at their home in Blairstown, New Jersey.
The couple were found unconscious and removed from the burning building by firefighters on Tuesday shortly after midnight, but sadly succumbed to their injuries soon after. Avery was 81 and best known for his role as Hughie the bartender on the American soap All My Children, a character he played for 12 years.
Avery's daughter, Kyle, took to social media to share the devastating news, writing: 'I’m devastated to share that our parents, Paul and Sheila Garry Avery, passed away early this morning. We loved them so much, and they loved us so much, and nobody ever had to wonder if that was so.'
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation, but authorities were able to bring the blaze under control by 1am. Avery had a long and varied career, appearing in shows such as Superman, Three’s Company, and Tales from the Darkside, before moving into journalism and editing.
In later life, Avery founded the local paper, where he wrote film reviews and covered community news. He was an active member of the Blairstown community, and his passion for small-town life was evident in his writing, where he once noted: 'The great thing about living in a small town is that you can actively participate in it.'
Avery's impact on the community is still being felt, with locals and colleagues paying tribute to his memory. One employee of the local paper remembered Avery as 'the most interesting man in the world', citing his impressive array of pursuits, from acting and skydiving to serving as a Vietnam veteran and starting a newspaper.
The loss of Avery and his wife is being deeply felt, with many acknowledging that his death will leave a significant void in the community. As one colleague noted, 'His death is going to leave a real void in this community... I think we’ll really miss him, and I think it’s going to become more apparent over time.'
