Paul Avery, the actor best known for his role as Hughie the bartender on the soap opera All My Children, and his wife Sheila have tragically died in a house fire at their home in Blairstown, New Jersey. The couple, aged 81, were discovered unconscious by firefighters shortly after midnight on Tuesday and were removed from the burning building. Despite efforts to save them, they succumbed to their injuries soon after.
Family's Grief
The couple's daughter, Kyle Avery, expressed her devastation in a heartfelt Facebook post: '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. We're grateful to the Blairstown Fire Department for their efforts. Service plans to follow.'
Investigation Underway
Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fire, which was brought under control by 1 a.m., according to the local newspaper, the Ridge View Echo. The community is in shock over the loss of a beloved figure.
A Storied Career
Beyond his 12-year stint on All My Children, Avery appeared in numerous television shows including Superman, Three's Company, and Tales from the Darkside over a 20-year acting career. Later in life, he transitioned to journalism, writing film reviews and working for several papers before founding the Ridge View Echo.
Community and Personal Life
In 2018, Sheila suffered a stroke, prompting Avery to step down from some public responsibilities to become her full-time caregiver. An active member of the Blairstown community, Avery once wrote in his paper: 'The great thing about living in a small town is that you can actively participate in it.'
Tributes Pour In
Joe Phalon, an employee of the Ridge View Echo, paid tribute to Avery, telling WFMZ: 'I got a call saying what happened, and I just couldn’t believe it. I always like to call Paul the most interesting man in the world, because he was when you consider everything he’s done in his life. Acting, skydiving, Vietnam veteran, started a newspaper.' He added: 'His death is going to leave a real void in this community. Not just Blairstown, but the towns around as well. I think we’ll really miss him, and I think it’s going to become more apparent over time.'
