AYRES

PAUL G. "JERRY"

Age 81, of Avalon, passed away peacefully with his family by his side, on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at the H.J. Heinz VA Hospital, following a brief illness.

He was born February 25, 1944, to the late Burton H. and Mary (Wall) Ayres of Avalon, PA, where he remained a lifelong resident. He is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Linda Geary (Crooks) Ayres; children, John (Rebe) Ayres, Michelle (Rob Decker) Geary Rua, Rebecca (Ted) Dougherty and William (Shavonne) Ayres; grandchildren, Joseph (Joslynn) Rua, Alyssa (Rob) McKinney, Casey (Kyler Miller) Rua, Patrisha Ayres, Nick (Hannah Minor) Ayres and Miya (Tyler Croft) Billings; and great-grandchildren, Landen and Laila Rua; siblings: Joan (Jack) Grady, Beth Ayres and the late Pat Ference, Kathryn (Mickie) Flaherty, Nancy McAllister, Jim Ayres and Joseph (Mike) Ayres; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws.

Jerry was a 1964 graduate of Avalon High School and upon graduation enlisted in the Marines, where he served four years and was a Vietnam Veteran. He was a proud Marine, and you could always find the Marine Corp flag flew faithfully in our front yard.

Upon his discharge from the Marines, he returned to Avalon, where he began working at Lyons Transportation, where he was a member of Local 249 Teamsters Union. He remained at LTL for 25 years until their closure, at which time he took an early retirement but continued to remain working in various capacities, before settling in at Wesco International, where he fully retired after 12 years.

He was a life member of the Avalon Volunteer Fire Company, where he spent 57 years helping the community. As his health began failing and he could no longer fight fires, he remained active on the Board of Directors. His routine every morning was to leave the house, head to the fire hall and spend a few hours with the "old timers" just chatting and watching TV. He will now be spending time with them in spirit.

When he wasn't working, at the firehall or attending sporting events for his children and grandchildren, he loved building jigsaw puzzles and puttering around in the yard.

Family and friends will be received at the LAWRENCE T. MILLER FUNERAL HOME INC., 460 Lincoln Avenue, Bellevue, Tuesday, September 2, from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. Fireman's Service on Tuesday, at 7:00 P.M., followed by a Prayer Service. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated, Wednesday, September 3, at 10:00 A.M., at Regina Coeli Parish, Church of the Assumption.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Avalon Volunteer Fire Company, 629 New Brighton Road, Avalon, PA 15202.