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 then 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.

Avie From Those Who Knew Him

"When dad died in 2003 the wake went on for hours.   So many former students, camp people,friends, family attended, it was very overwhelming for mom.   At one point mom says to one of the former campers or staff members who was then in his 60's, 'Why did you guys love my husband so much'?   There was a pause, and he said, 'He was fun, he was fair and he was firm'.  That sums up dad the best anyone can say. "

- Teddy Avedesian, Avi's Son

"When I was a young girl, I assumed every child had their summers off with their parents. It wasn’t until later that I realized how special our experience truly was. My dad gave us a wonderful childhood—one that felt privileged in the purest sense of the word. Privileged to spend every day with my family, privileged to appreciate the beauty of Salt Pond, privileged to learn from my father, and privileged to grow up immersed in the everyday routine of camp life.

One of the most meaningful parts of growing up with my dad was his strong commitment to community service and helping others. He was incredibly generous and always willing to volunteer and give back. From a young age, he instilled in me the value of volunteerism, and those lessons have stayed with me. Even now, I deeply appreciate what I learned as a child and continue to respect my father’s approach to serving others.

I remember my parents lining up three-foot lockers in the living room while my brothers packed them. I didn’t have one, since I would be living in the cabin with my parents and Shep, and my clothes went into a camp bureau instead. Being one of the only females at camp felt like a big deal—though at the time, I didn’t fully realize how special it was. I still cherish memories of campfires, eating at the top staff table, sitting on the family side of the beach, and leaving camp whenever my mom felt like taking a drive to an antique shop or shopping at Kenyon’s.

To me, Dad was simply Dad—but I understood how truly special he was when staff would reach out during the school year. Everyone wanted to visit us in Cranston. He wasn’t just my father; but a kind, caring, and thoughtful man—someone many others would have loved to call Dad."

- Anahid Avedesian, Avi's Daughter

"Avie would always make a big bet 'Coke and a Candy Bar'. In those days that was $0.10 for the coke and $0.15 for the candy bar...Total bet:  $0.25. Wow what a time..."

- Haig Avedesian, Avi's Son

"For anyone that has worked for their dad in business or any organization that involves working with others, you will be able to relate to this point and add your own comments to my thoughts.

As the oldest son of three sons, we were told at an early age that as the son of the man that is responsible for many aspects of the Camp Fuller programs, you will be expected to work twice as hard than everyone else and you should expect to receive only twenty-five percent recognition for your hard work, if any at all.  The lesson learned was working hard was not for “glory” but to achieve a higher goal.

Dad would always tell everyone at Camp to be vigilant about policing the grounds.  When walking to your destination, if you see litter on the ground, pick it up.  Avie’s point was that you may not have the greenest lawn, smoothest walkway, or the newest fence, but always you will have the cleanest grounds.  How you keep your “house” shows respect for what you have.

To this day, if I see litter on the walkway, typically I stop and pick it up. After each time I do this, I instantly realize that Avie’s words are still alive.

More words to live by from Avie were 'When you meet a stranger at Camp, smile and say Hello'. He would also say 'Just because you don’t know the person is no reason not to make them feel welcomed at Camp'.   They are the stranger and you are a seasoned camper.  By saying hello, you will leave the person with a warm feeling of welcome."

- David Avedesian, Avi's Son

"At this site, every morning after breakfast, Avie would briefly meet with the Camp Director and myself to discuss the "business of the day."  This could include camper issues, supplies needed, truck runs for that day, and any other planning that needed to be discussed.  Other 'Top Staff' members, Division Chiefs, the Waterfront Director, the Sailing Director, etc. may be invited to join if it included discussion of an issue in their area.  These short meetings, led by Avie, really kept the staff and the camp focused and moving forward in one direction.  It is what 'leadership' is all about."

- Paul D'Andrea, Storekeeper & Business Manager

"As a physical education teacher at Ponaganset High School, Avie had years of experience in leadership, team building, and delivering instructions with kindness and tenderness. During his summers as Program Director he was the glue that helped keep the Camp Fuller spirit alive. Whether coaching a young Silver Indian, welcoming Pegleg Pete into the mess hall, helping staff on the waterfront, leading a campfire, or puttering around in a garage, he was the kind of role model for young boys that is sorely missing in today’s society. He also had a unique way of punctuating his sentences with a combination of clucks, clicks, hand gestures, and the spitting sounds one often heard while Avie nursed a cigar. Together, they formed a singular language of love which remains a fond memory to this day.

Avie glowed with a combination of fierce loyalty and unconditional love for his three sons (David, Haig, and Ted), his wife, Alice, and his dog, Shep, as well as the many campers and staff.

One summer night led to one of the happiest days of his life. The Avedesians had been expecting their fourth child. After Alice and I finished one of our nightly Scrabble games, I headed back to the boathouse. A counselor who was a former student of Avie’s dropped by a short while later, but beat a hasty retreat when Alice said ‘I think I’m going to have my baby tonight.'

On the morning of Wednesday, July 22, 1964 campers and staff assembled in front of the flagpole for the morning lineup. Camp Director Ted Ressler gave his opening remarks before turning to his Program Director, who couldn’t stop grinning. Avie said only three words 'It’s a girl!' As if on cue, nearly 200 people burst into cheers before heading into the mess hall for breakfast."

- George Heymont

"I will always remember my first year as a CIT in Junior Division. It was Change Day and many parents were at camp to pick up their kids. I was helping a parent lift her son’s trunk into the back of the car. She reached into her wallet, pulled out a five-dollar bill and handed it to me with a big smile and 'thank you'. A bit awe-struck, I stuck the five in my pocket and wished them safe travels and a hope to see them next summer. Walking away with a grin, Avie approached me and let me know he had seen the exchange and acknowledged the gratitude expressed by the parent. He also put his arm around my shoulder and suggested that I put the five into the Staff Appreciation Fund can so that money could be put toward camperships for other kids. Of course, I did just that and will always remember the encouraging words by Avie. It was a moment that impacted my life forever. Thank you Avie."

- Rick Gaddes