Theodore G. “Ted” Avard
Utica, NY

Mr. Theodore G. “Ted” Avard, age 67, of Utica, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, July 24, 2017. He enjoyed carpentry, refinishing furniture, being with friends and lending a helping hand to anyone he met. His generosity was known to all.
Ted was born in Cooperstown, NY on December 28, 1949, the fourth of five children born to the late Joseph F. and Vera (Stocking) Pokorny. Adopted with his twin brother Fred by Earl and Anita Avard, Ted was raised and educated in Rome, where he graduated from Rome Free Academy in 1967. After serving in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War, Mr. Avard was married for a brief time to Janet Thomas.
Ted leaves behind sons Nathan A. Thomas and his wife Shannon of Rome, and Aaron P. Avard and his companion Katie of Taberg; siblings Carol A. Graf and her husband Bob of TX, twin Frederick G. Avard and his wife Nancy of MA, and Gail E. Walsh of PA; along with two grandchildren, Ethan T. Avard and Isaac J. Avard, an aunt, Ginny Stocking, and many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his older brother, John J. Pokorny.
Visitation will be held on Saturday from 9:00-10:00 a.m. at the Adrean Funeral Service, Inc., 700 Rutger St., corner of Mohawk Street (at the Matt Funeral Home). Mr. Avard’s burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery in the town of Lee at 11:30 a.m. with military honors.
Donations in Ted’s name may be made to the Rescue Mission of Utica, 212 Rutger Street, Utica, NY 13501 or online at www.uticamission.org. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.