JAMES AVONDA

JAMES AVONDA - ESSEX JUNCTION - James Avonda, 51, of Essex Junction, passed away in the Vermont Respite House on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, after a brief, yet valiant battle with lung cancer. Formally of Bronxville and Chappaqua, N.Y., Jim was born on Nov. 6, 1962, to the late Richard and Nancy Avonda. Jim attended Horace Greeley High School, and served for four years in the U.S. Army as a medic in the 82nd Airborne Division. Jim is survived by his loving daughter, Abigail Nancy, whom he loved beyond words. He is also survived by his seven brothers and sisters and their families, Kathy and Craig Schneider of Underhill; Jeannie Disador of Ossining, N.Y.; Betsy and Donald Carbone of White Plains, N.Y.; Tom and Donna Avonda of Piney Flats, Tenn.; Bob and Tammy Avonda of South Burlington; Peter Avonda of Jupiter, Fla.; and Bill and Debbie Avonda of Alachua, Fla.; along with four nieces, nine nephews, and two great-nephews. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014, at 10 a.m. at Christ the King Church in Burlington. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in New York. In lieu of flowers, the family has created a fund to support Abigail's education and donations are welcome to the following address: Raymond James, FBO Abigail Avonda 529, 100 SW Albany Ave., Suite 200, Stuart, FL 34994. The family would like to thank the staff at the Vermont Respite House. The exceptional kindness and compassion given to Jim helped ease his suffering during the final days. The family will be eternally grateful for the loving care Jim received.