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.

Following W. W. II, Jim went to work for Wells College where he held several positions prior to being promoted to superintendent of buildings and grounds and later business manager of the college. After retiring at 74, he was rehired as Wells postmaster and he permanently retired in 1993 at the age of 80, having served Wells for 45 years.

Jim was an active member of the Aurora community, serving as village clerk and then as village trustee for 26 years. He was a member of the Aurora Presbyterian Church, later the United Ministry, and he served as elder since 1964. He served on the Board of Directors of the Oak Glen Cemetery of Aurora and the Westminster Manor of Auburn. He is past master and secretary of Scipio Lodge No. 110 F. & A.M. He was the recipient of the Grand Lodge Dedicated Service award. He has received honors and tributes from the village and college community for his many years of dedicated service.

Jim was a man of high character and integrity who made friends wherever he went. He will be forever loved and respected by those who had the honor of knowing him. Throughout the illness of his last year, he demonstrated the same strength, dignity and courage he exemplified throughout his life.

He is survived by two sons, James Avery III and his wife, Alice of Fredericksburg, Va. and Phillips Avery and his wife, Gretchen of Union Springs; a daughter, Mary A. Chaput and her husband, Bob of Brentwood, Tenn.; a brother, Randall B. Avery of Gainesville, Fla.; a sister, Jane Avery Ayers of Aurora; a brother-in-law, James R. Shepard of Pelham Manor; a sister-in-law, Helen L. Avery of Union Springs; three grandchildren, Evan Anders Avery of Union Springs, James Avery IV of Fredericksburg, Va. and Abby Wallis Avery of Fredericksburg, Va.; many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Jim Avery was predeceased by his wife, Reba P. Avery, who died in 1988.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, 2002, in the Church of the United Ministry, Aurora with the Rev. Nancy Upson-Lane, officiating. Interment will be in Oak Glen Cemetery. Friends are invited to call 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Shakelton Funeral Home, Main Street, Aurora. Members of Scipio Lodge 110 F. & A. M. will conduct services at 7 p.m. Friday at the Shakelton Funeral Home.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Aurora Volunteer Fire Department, Aurora, N. Y. 13026 or Hospice of the Finger Lakes, 1130 Corporate Drive, Auburn, N. Y. 13021, in memory of Mr. Avery.