Phillip "Phil" H. Avery

Phillip Hawley Avery, age 95, passed away September 5, 2024 in Carlisle, PA.

Phil was born in Three Rivers, MI to the late Paul and Mildred (Hawley) Avery. He and his younger brother John grew up in Kalamazoo, MI and both attended State High School. Phil graduated in 1947, and began his studies at Kalamazoo College. Two years later, he gained appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD and was honorably discharged from the Navy in June 1950. He then returned to Michigan, and in 1952 completed a degree in Paper Technology and Chemistry from Western Michigan University. He began his professional career at the Parchment Paper Company just north of Kalamazoo, MI before moving to the Rochester Paper Company in Rochester, MI where he worked as a Research Chemist and Administrator from 1957 to 1973. After the company was sold, he moved his family to Carlisle, PA and began working for the former Eaton Dikeman (now Ahlstrom Filtration) in Mt. Holly Springs, PA, retiring in 1994 as President and General Manager.

Phil met Patsy Ann Bair at a dance hall during Phil’s summer break from college; they were married on May 31, 1953. They had three children: Jill (born 1954 in Kalamazoo MI), Scott (born 1958 in Pontiac, MI), and Carol (born 1962 in Pontiac, MI), as well as six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Phil was very athletic, playing sports in his youth and continuing on with skiing, tennis, ping-pong, and more. He loved fishing and swimming, and every summer vacationed with his family at a cabin on the Canadian side of Lake Huron. After moving to Pennsylvania, Phil bought a farm in Newville, PA and eventually had the barn and farmhouse listed in the Cumberland County list of historical landmarks. He was a master woodworker and loved to create furniture and other gifts for his friends and family. He and Pat loved to dance and listen to big band, jazz, and country & western music. They also took every opportunity to travel and go on cruises. After Pat passed away on December 10, 2009, Phil continued to stay active in woodworking, model railroading, and spending time with his family.

Phil loved the Lord and served as an elder and deacon at Dickinson Presbyterian Church in Carlisle. He was well known for his patience, his love, and his distinctive laugh.

Memorial services will be held at Dickinson Presbyterian Church, 12 Church Rd., Carlisle, PA 17013 on Friday October 4 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow in Dickinson Presbyterian Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Phil’s memory to Dickinson Presbyterian Church at the address above. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hoffman Funeral & Cremation, 2020 W. Trindle Road, Carlisle, PA 17013.