It is with heavy hearts and deep love that our family announces the peaceful passing of our beloved John Andrew Avery, age 88, on December 21, 2025, after a long and courageous journey with Alzheimer’s disease. Surrounded by love, John will be deeply missed and forever cherished by his family.
Born on July 23, 1937 in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, John was the beloved son of the late William Joseph "Bozo" Avery and Ann Burnetta "Annie" Avery (Cox). He was deeply proud of his roots and his lifelong connection to Nova Scotia.
John dedicated much of his professional life to education, serving as an instructor at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in Bible Hill, where he taught professional meat cutting. He took great pride in his career and the many students he mentored. John retired at the age of 55, after which he and his cherished wife, Judy, spent more than 20 years as snowbirds in Largo, Florida, enjoying an active and social lifestyle.
On October 15, 1960, John married the love of his life, Judy (Murray), in New Glasgow. Together they raised two children, Ken and Kenda, and shared a marriage filled with devotion, adventure, and friendship.
John was an avid fisherman and a gifted storyteller, known for recounting tales of the "big catch," always supported by photographs and even taxidermy. He especially treasured salmon fishing trips to Newfoundland, local river fishing, and time spent at his camp in New Harbour. Winters were happily spent in Florida where he enjoyed golf, shuffleboard, bowling, and staying busy with friends. His "happy place" in Nova Scotia was the family cottage in Merigomish where he spent countless months surrounded by nature and loved ones.
John will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Judy; his son, Ken Avery (Joanne) of Enfield; and his daughter, Kenda Avery (Judie) of Dartmouth. He was a proud grandfather to Mitchell Avery (Shelly) and Michaela Wilson (Ian), and a devoted great-grandfather to Jackson, Layla, and Sawyer. He is also survived by his sister, Hazel Hughes (Ulysse); his sister-in-law, Gail Cameron; and many cherished nieces and nephews.
John was predeceased by his parents, Bill and Annie Avery and his siblings: Helen Guthro, Mary "Dolly" Arthurs, Isabel Avery, Joseph "Joby" Avery, and Cecil Avery, also brother-in-law, Morris Cameron.
Special thanks to Cedarstone staff in Truro, NS for their compassion at this difficult time.
A Celebration of Life will be held 2-4pm Saturday, April 4, 2026, in R.H. Porter Funeral Home, 55 Almont Ave., New Glasgow.