William A. Averill, woodworker, volunteer

William Arthur Averill, 80, of Orleans, Mass., formerly of Amherst, a woodworker and volunteer for many organizations, died Sunday, July 15, 2007 in Cape Cod Hospital, Massachusetts.

Born in Buffalo, Mr. Averill graduated from Kensington High School in 1945.

In 1954, Mr. Averill opened his first business, W.A. Appliance Service Company, and a retail home appliance store in Rochester.

He returned to Buffalo and in 1963, founded Buffalo Plastic Laminating Company, manufacturing Formica cabinets and countertops.

Mr. Averill was involved in numerous volunteer activities. He was active in Boy Scouts. He was also elected president of the Buffalo

Curling Club in 1971. Mr. Averill was a founding member

of Christ the King Parish in Irondequoit, N.Y. In 1984, he became a chaplain's assistant under the auspices of the Diocese of Buffalo and ministered at the Veterans Hospital in Buffalo for many years.

After moving to Cape Cod, Mr. Averill was a Eucharistic minister at Cape Cod Hospital and the Orleans Convalescent and Retirement Home.

Mr. Averill was a volunteer for the Reach Program, providing transportation to seniors needing a ride from the hospital to home. He was a member of Renew, and the Visitors Program of St. Joan of Arc Parish. He was also an active member of the parish choir.

Mr. Averill built furniture, dabbled in photography and enjoyed baseball.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley G. (Pauly); seven daughters, Margaret Wutz of Scottsdale, Ariz., and New London, N.H.; Barbara Schiffert of Lockport; Mary of Easthampton, Mass.; Elizabeth Albert of Glenside, Pa.; Jeanne Abbott of Getzville; Patricia Christiano of Avon; and Christine Eichelberger of New Albany, Ohio; a son, John of Florence, Mass.; two sisters, Virginia Baty and Jane LaBelle; a brother, Donald; and 19 grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, July 30 at St. Mary's Church (Swormville), 6919 Transit Road, Amherst.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Vincent DePaul Society, St. Joan of Arc Parish, 61 Canal Road, Orleans, Mass., 02653.

Arrangements were made by Amigone Funeral Home.