Bruce E. Avery
March 28, 2016Share using:
Bruce Earl Avery of Dubuque, Iowa, passed away on Monday, March 28, 2016 at 2:06 pm, surrounded by those who loved him best, after a nearly year-long fight with pancreatic cancer.
Born on May 4, 1946, Bruce is preceded in death by parents Earl and Mildred (Schmidt) Avery, and his faithful Labrador, Cleopatra. Surviving him are sisters, Julie (Craig) Kennedy, Phyllis (Fred) Waterman; children, Ryan Avery, Rebecca (William) Lugrain, Rustin Avery, Rachel Avery, Taylor (Minnie) Avery, Tedd Avery; grandchildren, Brenna Fox, Xay Lugrain, Patrick Walling, former wife and co-herder of the family, Marianne Avery, and dear friend/chief Scrabble partner, Margaret Sutter.
After spending three and a half years serving in the Navy, Bruce and Marianne (Burns) Avery were married on December 27, 1977. Bruce taught at Cuba City Schools for more than 30 years, focusing on US government and geography. Teaching gave Bruce a sense of purpose and joy.
Outside of teaching, he was a lover of books, history, coffee, deep dish pizza, and generously buttered toast. He enjoyed photography, his travels to Guatemala, South Korea, and France, and watching the Packers (his favorite team) not make another Super Bowl…again. Some may remember Bruce as occasionally grumpy, which is true, but in actuality, his temperament mirrored that of the much beloved comic cat, Garfield.
But far above all, Bruce was a wonderful dad, who had the perfect beard for dressing up as Santa on Christmas. In his worst weeks of chemo, his only regret was being bare-faced.
The most heartfelt thanks goes to Dubuque Hospice, Heritage Manor, and Leonard Funeral Home for their kind and attentive care. A celebration of life will be announced at a later date. Condolences may be sent to the Avery family at 2222 Delmonaco Drive in Dubuque, Iowa 52002.
