Thornton D. Avery, recently of Bethel, CT, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, October 27 at the age of 97.
Thornton was born June 11, 1928, in New York, NY, son of the late Aldine and Alena (Black) Avery. He graduated from high school and served in the United States Army during the Korean war, attaining the Rank of Master Sergeant.
On June 26, 1956, he married the love of his life, Nola Hughes, in a ceremony in Brooklyn, NY. Mr. Avery worked as a Bus Driver and Dispatcher for the New York Transit Authority. He is remembered as a man with a sharp wit that enjoyed things that engaged his mind. He loved to read the newspaper as well as non-fiction books and was always up for spirited debate. He was a consummate handyman and mechanic and enjoyed trying to fix any household item.
Thornton is survived by his daughters, Nonna Neal of New Fairfield, CT, and Yvette Avery of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; his six grandchildren, Crystal Ellington, Kenneth Neal, Jr., Ian Neal, Danielle Irizarry, Ashley Irizarry, and Moriah Irizarry and his six great-grandchildren, Zoe Ellington, Joshua Ellington, Abigail Ellington, Lily Ellington, Madeleine Neal, and Benjamin Neal. He was predeceased by his loving wife, Nola, and his two siblings, Aldine Avery, and Lovella Tillman.
A graveside service will be held Thursday, October 30, 2025, at 11 in the morning at Calverton National Cemetery, Calverton, NY.
