Devastated Daughters of ‘All My Children’ Star Paul Avery Break Hearts: ‘The Biggest Loss of Our Lives’ After Parents Die in Tragic House Fire”
The heartbroken daughters of beloved “All My Children” actor Paul Avery and his wife have described the loss of their parents in a tragic house fire as “the biggest loss of our lives.”
Avery, 84, best known for portraying Hughie the bartender on the popular soap opera, and his wife of more than four decades, Sheila, died after a fire engulfed their home in Blairstown, New Jersey, early Tuesday morning.
“They were spectacular people,” their daughter Kyle Avery told The Post on Friday. “The number of people they touched, how memorable they were, and how much joy they brought to others is endless.”
“It’s the biggest loss of our lives,” she said. “It’s devastation—there’s no other word for it.”
“For us, it’s a very personal tragedy,” added her sister, Parker Sanchez. “If you could order parents from a catalog, they would be the ones.”
According to the sisters, the couple died from smoke inhalation. Sanchez described them as hardworking people who loved life and enjoyed bringing happiness to those around them.
Avery, who also appeared in a minor role in the 1978 film “Superman,” spent decades acting simply because he loved the craft.
“He wasn’t looking for fame; he just loved acting,” Sanchez said. “He was very proud of having a career that lasted more than 20 years.”
The sisters said their parents touched countless lives through their sense of humor and dedication to serving their community.
“They were married for over 40 years, and they loved hosting parties,” Sanchez said. “They threw the most incredible gatherings.”
“Humor was such a huge part of our relationship. They were so joyful to be around,” she added. “Everyone always felt welcome in their home.”
Kyle echoed that sentiment, saying, “The number of people they touched, how memorable they were, and how joyful they were is endless.”
Sheila, 77, was both an artist and a nurse who spent decades helping survivors of abuse.
“Our dad may have been more recognizable, but our mom was extraordinary,” Sanchez said. “She was a registered nurse who worked in sexual assault counseling and training for 25 years—long after many people would have burned out.”
“She inspired and mentored so many women,” Sanchez added. “I’ve received messages from women saying, ‘Your mom taught me how to be a feminist.’”
Firefighters responded to the Avery home shortly before 1 a.m. on Tuesday. They rescued the couple, who were in critical condition, and performed CPR, but both died shortly afterward, according to the Ridge View Echo.
As of Friday, the cause of the fire remained unknown. However, the sisters emphasized that it was “not a suspicious fire.”
