James Avery Jr.

AURORA - James Avery Jr., 90, a life-long resident of Aurora, died Sunday, Dec. 22, 2002, at his residence at Bluefield Manor, Auburn.

Mr. Avery was born in the town of Ledyard, the son of the late James and Pearl Barnes Avery and lived in Aurora for most of his life. Jim began his education in a one room country school at Dog Corners in the town of Ledyard, walking about a mile from the family farm. When the family moved to the village of Aurora in 1921, schooling was transferred to the Cayuga Lake Academy. He was a 1931 graduate of Phillips Andover Academy and a graduate of Hamilton College, class of 1936. where he was president of Psi U, captain of the track team and a member of the college choir. It was during these years, and a tribute to his love of music, that he acquired the nickname of "Ace" after a popular band leader of the 20s and 30s, Ace Brigode.

He was a veteran of World War II where he served in various camps in the United States, and later serving in New Delhi, India, in the China-Burma-India theater. He held the rank of Master Sergeant until receiving his commission as Second Lieutenant in June 1945.