Avery Wilcox Lamphier, 95, beloved husband of the late Jane (Barlow) Lamphier, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 23, 2020.
Avery was born on Dec, 7, 1924, to the late Ada (Skilton) and State Sen. Eugene H. Lamphier, at their family homestead on Main Street, Watertown. Avery grew up in Watertown and attended South School and Watertown High School before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. He proudly served his country during World War II in the Pacific Theater, while fighting fierce battles in Tarawa, Guam and Okinawa.
Avery was voted into the Watertown Fire Department in 1944 while serving overseas. When he returned, he worked on the family farm before working at Pratt & Whitney’s Aircraft Division Fire Department as a fire inspector. He remained working there until he was elected chief and fire marshal of the Watertown Fire Department, after serving as lieutenant, captain and deputy chief.