Avery Howard Beadle

April 11, 2015

Amaryllis flowers bloomed just in time to cheer Avery Beadle before he slipped peacefully from this life at home on April 7, 2015. He was one month shy of his 97th birthday.

Avery was the youngest of six children born to Frank J. and Fanny Brown Beadle of Minetto, NY, on May 13, 1918. He attributed much of his good health to the fact that, from the 7th through 12 grades, he had a paper route of five miles with 95 customers. Six evenings a week, in every season, he rode his bike making deliveries and earning one penny per paper.

Charles Lindberg’s flight across the Atlantic fueled Avery’s desire to fly, so after high school, he saved $64 for the eight required lessons and then would rent the plane for six dollars to practice. This experience enabled him to enlist in the US Army Air Corps in May, 1941, serving mostly in Montgomery, AL, until his discharge in December 1945.

Upon his rapid promotion to Staff Sergeant he was able to send for his sweetheart, Helen Kowalski of Oswego, NY, and they were wed on June 2, 1942.
Two days after his discharge from the Army, Avery began sweeping floors at the St. Regis Paper Company in Oswego and progressed to become a commercial artist by diligently practicing at home evenings. In 1952, his entire department was transferred to Cantonment, FL, where he and Helen continued to reside.

Avery had numerous talents. He learned to play the trumpet in high school and then played in dance bands, as well as an Army Air Corps band. He also played piano and organ by ear. He enjoyed keeping his yard in pristine condition and dabbled in electronics all his life, building radios and remote control airplanes. He possessed endless curiosity and so, at age 94, bought himself a tablet and learned to use email, delighting in exchanging messages with family and friends.

Avery will be most remembered by all who knew and loved him for his wonderful humor and charm, which he maintained until the end of his days. He often expressed gratitude for the blessed and fortunate life that he and his family enjoyed.

Avery has gone to join Helen, his beloved wife of 72 years, who preceded him in death on Dec. 4, 2014. He is survived by his two children, Sylvia Beadle Zurko of Colorado, and Gary (Danise) Beadle of Cantonment, 3 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

After cremation he will be inurned with his wife at Barrancas National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Covenant Hospice or a charity of your choice.

Friends are invited to visit the family at 100 Morris Avenue, Cantonment, between 3:00pm and 6:00pm on Friday, April 24.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Obituaries