Obituary of David Austin Avery

David Austin Avery

February 28, 1929 – January 24, 2018

It is with sadness the family announces the death of David Austin Avery at the age of 88 in Niagara on the Lake, Ontario.     

Born in Simcoe, Ontario, David graduated from Western University with Honours in Business in 1951 and chose a career with the Royal Canadian Navy. He served on a number of ships on both coasts and was commanding officer of the destroyer HMCS Saguenay (1966-1967) and the frigate HMCS Nipigon (1972-1974). David was the naval aide-de-camp to Governor General Vanier in Ottawa, and later to Lieutenant Governor Pearkes in British Columbia. As a commander of the Canadian Armed Forces, David also attended the United States Naval War College, graduating from the Command Course in 1968.

After retiring from the navy, David served as the Administrator for the Ontario Court System in Toronto, where he enjoyed the opportunity to work with the provincial Superior Court Justices.

Throughout his life, David maintained a keen interest in family history, particularly the Gunton, Austin and Ryerse families, corresponding with relatives in England, Australia and the United States. He completed substantial family genealogical research and authored several books including “Cogs: The Ancestors and Descendants of John Gunton and Eliza Jarvis.” David enjoyed volunteering at the Eva Brook Donly Museum and was known by his family for his talent in gardening and landscaping.

David was pre-deceased by his parents, Alanson Avery and Elizabeth Gunton and his brother, Russell. He is survived by a loving family: son, Christopher Avery of Boston, Massachusetts; daughters, Jillian Maver Ihsanullah (Naveed Ihsanullah) of North Andover, Massachusetts; Alexandra Demers (Luc Demers) of Falmouth, Maine, and Elizabeth Avery of Boston, Massachusetts; grandchildren, Hannah, Zoe and Andrew Maver and Jake Ihsanullah of North Andover, Massachusetts, Aaron and Kaylee Demers of Falmouth, Maine; sisters, Janet Metler of Ridgeville, Ontario, Helen Frackleton of Gravenhurst, Ontario, sister-in-law, Margaret Avery of Oshawa, Ontario; many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews; and former wife, Victoria Jelke Avery of Wellesley, Massachusetts.

Friends are invited to meet with the family on Sunday, January 28^th, 2018 from 2 – 5 p.m. at THE BALDOCK FUNERAL HOME, 96 Norfolk St. N., Simcoe, where the funeral will be held Monday at 11:00 a.m. Reverend Barrie Bain officiating with interment to follow at Oakwood Cemetery, Simcoe. Memorial donations may be made in David’s name to The Avery Memorial Association, The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 79 or The Eva Brook Donly Museum. Online condolences at www.baldockfuneralhome.com