Roger F. Avery's Obituary
Salem, NH-- Roger Fremont Avery, 80, of Salem, NH and former longtime Methuen resident died peacefully, with loving family at his bedside, on February 11, 2020 at High Pointe House in Haverhill, MA.
Mr. Avery was born on May 4, 1939 in Bangor, Maine, the only child of the late Fremont and Lottie (Soucy) Avery. After his father died when he was a child, Roger and his mother moved to Lawrence, MA.
He graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1957. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1959 and served four years with the 8th Air Force Strategic Air Command until his honorable discharge in 1963. He worked in data processing, banking operations and security and retired from Pentucket Bank in Haverhill in 2003.
Roger was a long-time member of St. Monica’s Church in Methuen, MA. He was active in the Knights of Columbus Council 4027 in Methuen and The Father O’Donnell Assembly in Lawrence. He was involved with several special needs programs and served on many committees. After retirement he continued to do bookkeeping for SJE Landscaping and Nevins Nursing Home. He served on the condo board of Kensington Place in Salem, NH. He loved music and played the organ.
He enjoyed family life and was a loving husband to his wife of 43 years, Elaine (Eddy) Avery of Methuen. Quite unexpectedly both Roger and Elaine lost their first spouses to cancer in 1973—Roger’s wife, Lorraine, and Elaine’s husband, James. Both spouses were in their 30s. Roger and Elaine were neighbors in Methuen at the time. Cooperation and friendship grew into love, and they were married in 1976, resulting in a beautiful blended family with six children ages 8-16. Theirs was an enduring romance proving that life does indeed give us second chances.
He is survived by his wife: Elaine; five children: Kimberly Avery and husband, Michael Pelland, of Fitchburg, Michelle Avery of Andover, Rhonda (Cote) Reynolds and husband, Dr. Owen Reynolds, of Haverhill, Steven Eddy and Jodi Callahan of Haverhill, and David Eddy and wife, Donna, of Methuen. He was predeceased by his son, Wayne Eddy, and is survived by Wayne’s wife, Liz Eddy, of Louisville, KY. He was the proud grandfather of Jennifer, Daniel and Kristin Eddy, Matthew and Candice Cote, Vanessa and Nicole Eddy, Kammarie and Michael Pelland and Claire and Sara-Grace Reynolds. He was honored to be the Papa of 15 great grandchildren.
Heartfelt thanks to Dr. Christopher Ip, Jill Francisco NP, Dr. Pedro Sanz, Katie Mitchell NP, Dr. David Goff and all their support staff for their extraordinary care and compassion over the last the last three years. Thanks also to the caregivers at Dana-Farber, Lawrence General Hospital, Merrimack Valley Hospice and High Pointe House. Roger and his family were enormously touched by the love, kindness, concern, home-cooked meals and prayers from their friends and neighbors.
Family and friends will honor and celebrate Roger’s life by gathering for his calling hours on Sunday, February 16, 2020 from 2-5 pm at the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, 233 Lawrence St., Methuen, MA. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 AM on Monday, February 17th at St. Monica’s Church, 212 Lawrence Street, Methuen. Cremation will follow funeral services. Interment will be at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made online to stjude.org or mailed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Please include memorial ID# 11935650 with your donation. For directions or to send an online condolence, please visit www.pollardfuneralhome.com. The Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home is honored to serve the Avery family.
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