Obituary of John A. Avery

John A. Avery, 64, of Bridgewater, New Jersey, passed away on May 29, 2018 at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City from complications after resection of bile duct cancer. John was born December 26, 1953 in Hoboken, New Jersey to the late Henry G. Avery and Grace Avery (née Anderson). A talented athlete and dedicated student, John graduated from Ridgefield Memorial High School in 1972 as captain of the varsity basketball team and president of the National Honor Society. In 1976, he received his bachelor's degree in political science from Columbia College, where he had earned a spot in the starting lineup of the basketball team as a freshman. He went on to obtain his law degree from New York University in 1979. John began his legal career clerking for New Jersey Supreme Court Justice Morris Pashman. He then litigated at the firm of Clapp & Eisenberg in Newark, New Jersey until 1994. For the past twenty years, he was a partner at the firm of Kraemer Burns, P.A., in Springfield, New Jersey. John was a talented trial and appellate attorney with a broad range of expertise in complex civil litigation, particularly corporate, contract, and real estate matters. He believed that simple moral principles form the basis of our legal system and broader society, and his professional and personal life reflected that belief. John cherished the simple things, like taking walks with his grandchildren, watching sports, and discussing current events. Throughout his life, he was an avid reader, absorbing everything from biographies and historical accounts to philosophical works and challenging novels. His family will miss his easy smile, tireless support, and sage advice. John is survived by his wife of forty-one years, Margaret ("Peg") M. Avery (née Hook); three daughters, Lynn G. Avery McQuery, Elizabeth ("Beth") L. Avery, and Diana L. Avery; two grandchildren, John ("Jack") A. McQuery and Allison R. McQuery; and two brothers, H. George Avery and Robert W. Avery. A private cremation service was held on Friday, June 1, 2018. The family invites you to their home for a memorial service on Sunday, June 10, 2018 at noon. All are welcome. The family encourages donations to John's preferred charities, which included Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, as well as the high-impact charities supported by GiveWell.