WEBSTER – James E. “Jim” Avery, Jr., 89, died Saturday, October 18, 2025 in Webster after a period of declining health.
He leaves his beloved wife of 65 years, Barbara M. (Niedzwiecki) Avery; a son, Steven J. Avery and his wife Doreen of Webster; 2 daughters, Susan E. Avery of Dudley and Janet L. Campbell of Southbridge; 4 grandchildren, Laura Hadley and her husband Christopher, Zachary Campbell and his wife Brittany, and Devon and Derek Avery; a brother, John Avery and his wife Angela of Ormond Beach, FL; a sister, Nancy Biernacki and her husband Raymond of Wells, ME; several nephews and nieces. His infant sister Joyce Avery died in 1944.
He was born on May 3, 1936 in Webster, a son of James E. Avery, Sr. and Stasia (Pekala) Avery and was a lifelong resident. He graduated from Saint Anne’s Elementary School and studied at Worcester Vocational School to obtain his electrician’s license.
He served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and of the Webster-Dudley American Legion Post #184.
Mr. Avery owned and operated James Electric for 40 years before retiring as president in 2007. He was the electrical inspector for the Town of Webster for 40 years.
He was a communicant of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church where he was a collector. He was a life member of the Webster/Auburn Lodge of Elks #2118. He was the oldest living member of the TSKK.
For 31 years, Jim was a member and past chairman of the Bay Path Vocational School Committee. He recently served on the Housing Authority and also on the Webster Board of Health for many years. He was a past president of the former Exchange Club and belonged to the Chamber of Commerce.
His funeral will be held on Monday, November 3, from the Sitkowski, Malboeuf & Hickey Funeral Home, 340 School Street, with a Mass at 11:00 in Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 16 East Main Street. Burial, with military honors provided by the Webster-Dudley Veterans Council, will be held in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 2, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM in the funeral home. Donations in his name may be made to Sacred Heart of Jesus church, 18 East Main Street, Webster, MA 01570.