Actor Paul Avery and Wife Sheila Garry Avery Killed in New Jersey House Fire
A blaze that broke out in the early hours of Tuesday, June 16, 2026, brought a tragic end to the lives of actor Paul Avery and his wife, Sheila Garry Avery, in Blairstown, New Jersey. Firefighters from the Blairstown Fire Department and New Jersey State Police were dispatched to the couple’s Mohican Road home after a call before 1 a.m. The emergency crews found both men unconscious inside the house, transported them to a nearby hospital in critical condition, and the pair died shortly after arrival.
The fire was extinguished within minutes of the department’s arrival, yet the damage to the residence was extensive. Investigators from the New Jersey State Police are examining the scene to determine how the blaze started. No evidence of foul play has emerged, and the department has not yet released a preliminary report.
Paul Avery, 84, was best known for his seven‑year run as bartender Hughie on the ABC daytime soap opera All My Children, a role he played from 1981 to 1988. He also appeared in the 1978 superhero film Superman as a cameraman and guest‑starred on shows such as Three’s Company, Soap, Tales from the Darkside, and Young People’s Specials. In addition to his acting career, Avery was a Vietnam War veteran, a licensed pilot, and served on the Blairstown Township Committee until 2018 when he shifted to full‑time caregiving for his wife after she suffered a stroke.
The couple left two daughters, Kyle and Parker. Kyle Avery confirmed the deaths in a Facebook post on Thursday, describing herself as “devastated” and stating that funeral arrangements would be announced soon.
At present, the family is awaiting the findings of the investigation and is preparing for funeral services. No further details have been released by the family or authorities.
