Charles F. Averill, 87, of East Greenwich, R.I., and New Harbor, died peacefully at home on May 27.
He was the husband of the late Jean (Stone) Averill. They were married for 59 years at the time of her death.
Born in Boston, Mass., he was the son of the late Marie Averill Donovan and the late Charles F. Averill. He resided in Rumford for 10 years before moving to East Greenwich, R.I. 48 years ago.
Mr. Averill worked for Grinnell Fire Protection Systems Co. of Providence, R.I. for 38 years before retiring as manager of the Special Hazards Dept. in 1984.
He was a member of the National Fire Protection Assoc., and served on several of its technical committees, as well as being a member of the American Petroleum Institute’s Fire and Safety Committee.
After his retirement, he was sought out to become a consultant for the construction of the Toyota Assembly Plant in Tennessee. With his vast knowledge of special hazards he was also asked by Martin Marietta to become a consultant during the development of NASA’s West Coast Space Shuttle Complex at Vandenburg AFB, Cal.
During WWII, Mr. Averill served with the U.S. Army Air Corps in the Pacific Theater.
He is survived by two sons, Charles F. Averill, Jr. and longtime companion Cynthia A. Starkey of East Greenwich, R.I., and Philip H. Averill and wife Jan Bacon of Bristol; granddaughters, Amy Bozeman of San Antonio, Tex., and Erica M. Averill of Bristol; and two great-granddaughters. He was the brother of Paul F. Donovan of Santa Crux, Cal., the late Charmain Rowan, and the late Pearl Bunyan.
A private graveside service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his memory to Home and Hospice Care of RI, South Team, 143 Main St., Wakefield, RI 02879.
