Soap actor Paul Avery and his wife Sheila have died in a devastating house fire in Blairstown, New Jersey. The couple perished in the early hours of Tuesday morning, June 16, leaving their daughter Kyle "devastated."
Career Highlights
Paul Avery was best known for playing bartender Hughie on the US soap opera All My Children, a role he held for 12 years. He also appeared in the 1978 Superman film and shows such as Tales from the Darkside, Soap, and Three's Company.
Other Pursuits
Beyond acting, Avery worked as a journalist, writing film reviews for the New Jersey Herald and serving as a reporter for the Gazette in Hackettstown. He later became the founding executive editor of the Ridge View Echo. He was also a pilot and a Vietnam veteran.
The Fire
The New Jersey State Police responded to the scene to find the house engulfed in flames. Paul and Sheila were found unconscious, and firefighters performed CPR, but both died shortly after.
Daughter's Tribute
Their daughter Kyle Avery confirmed their deaths 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."
Community Reaction
Tributes have poured in. Joe Phalon, a colleague at the Ridge View Echo, said: "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."
Local resident Kevin Martin remarked: "It's going to take a while to get used to not having him here, because it was almost like, 'OK, it's the weekend, we expect to see Paul.'"
An investigation into the cause of the blaze is underway.
