Portland, St Thomas U.S.V.I. and Great Cranberry Island Maine-
Richard “Dick” Avery, 83, died peacefully at the Gosnell House in Scarborough Maine of
complications from dementia and melanoma.
He was born in N.Y. New York to Cal and Louise Avery on July 26th 1933
Graduating from Bard College with a degree in Sculpture was a proud accomplishment
In 1956 he entered the Army. After 2 years of being landlocked in Oklahoma, Dick
bought a one way ticket to St Thomas U.S.V.I.
In a twist of fate he met his Swedish wife of over 55 years, Marianne. They lived for 8
years on a house boat Dick built and then a pole house he designed and built on the
north side of the island.
After captaining many day trips on a 65 ft schooner, he realized his passengers knew as
much or more about sailing as he did so he founded Bareboat Chartering and opened
Avery’s Boathouse in Frenchtown. He became a Pearson Yacht dealer. He had a fleet
of 24 boats for charter. He owned one that captured his heart,“Joker”. The stateside
owners loved having their boat located in some of the best sailing in the world. He
helped build the St Thomas yacht club. Dick wanted his family to experience Maine
summers as he had, camping at Seawall, so in 1970 he purchased “the shack” on Great
Cranberry Island. When asked by his daughter his greatest accomplishment he
answered “The Cranberry Gull,” a 41 foot trawler he and his son designed and built here
in Maine and took home to St Thomas in 1987.
He loved his family, classical music, being on the water, reading and all animals but
most of all cats!
He is predeceased by his parents.
He is survived by his wife Marianne Rudhner Avery, Daughter Ingrid Avery wife Bonnie
LePage, Son Morgan Richard Avery wife Margaret Hahn Avery, 2 granddaughters
Emmy Avery Witham and Madelyn Louise Avery. Sister Ann Gardener of Tortola B.V.I.
A celebration of life will be held at Unity of Greater Portland 54 River Rd. Windham ME
on February 18th at 3pm.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service, Buxton. Online condolence messages can be submitted at www.mainefuneral.com
In lieu of flowers send a contribution to the
Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland
Po Box 336
Westbrook ME 04098
www.arlgp.org