Paul and Sheila tragically lost their lives in a fire that erupted in their Blairstown residence in the early hours of June 16, as reported by the Ridge View Echo and WFMZ.
The New Jersey State Police were alerted to the house fire on Mohican Road shortly before 1 a.m. Responding firefighters discovered the couple unconscious and managed to rescue them from the flames. Despite efforts with CPR, Paul and Sheila passed away soon after.
The blaze was contained by 1:03 a.m., but the cause of the fire is still being investigated.
Kyle confirmed her parents’ passing in a Facebook post on June 16. She wrote, “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.”
Parker informed the New York Post that Paul and Sheila succumbed to smoke inhalation.
Joe Phalon, an employee at the Ridge View Echo, expressed disbelief to WFMZ upon hearing the news, stating, “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,” he said. “His death is going to leave a real void in this community. Not just Blairstown, but the towns around as well. I think we’ll really miss him, and I think it’s going to become more apparent over time.”
