A true leader and teacher, Avie touched the lives of all who ever had the pleasure and honor of spending time with him.   Born in Providence, he later moved and raised his family in Cranston with his beloved wife, Alice.

He was a World War II Army veteran serving in Germany during the Army of Occupation.  He later graduated from URI in 1953 and later received his master’s degree in health and physical education from Boston University.

Avie was a teacher, football and gymnastics coach at Ponaganset High School for 28 years before he retired. He was a respected educator, coach, mentor and friend to many during his time there.

His love of sports kept him on the field or court.  Avie was a Rhode Island schoolboy football, basketball and baseball official for over forty years.  If he wasn’t your coach, he was watching you compete.  Not one to sit around, Avie was also a certified water safety instructor and Rhode Island State Lifeguard Surf Tester. 

His summer job from 1957 through 1975 was at YMCA Camp Fuller-by-the-Sea where he served as waterfront, program and assistant director.  During his time at Fuller, Avie touched the lives of hundreds of boys and young men.  He was, in many ways, synonymous with Camp Fuller.  Many will remember his  big smile, Raybans and his enthusiastic announcement each morning that it was “A Beauty Day at Camp Fuller”.   Just hearing those words, you had to believe that it was, in fact a beautiful day.

His larger-than-life, embracing personality and warm heart made him a beloved member of the Fuller family for generations. His legacy lives on to this day and he continues to evoke great memories of time spent at Fuller.

It is with great pleasure and commitment to his legacy that Camp Fuller has re-named this space in the Ad Building “The Avie Avedesian Welcome Center”.  A place that all will feel welcome and invited to be a part of the Fuller Family.

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