Avery Anthony Richardson, born Nov. 22, 1967, to Lucille Jones and the late Leonard Richardson in Central Islip, N.Y., departed this life suddenly on Sept. 1, 2021, in Morgantown.
Avery “Tony” as he was affectionately known, was educated in the CI public school system and upon graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged in 1989. Tony attended UDC before transferring to WVU in 1991, where he received his B.A. in sociology and anthropology.
Tony was employed at Superior Ford Motor before moving on to the Mountaineer Challenge academy for 10 years as a juvenile placement coordinator. For the next 14 years, he went on to be the Night Staff Supervisor for the WVU Residence Halls before retiring and moving on to be the head of nighttime security at Mylan Pharmaceuticals.
Tony left his footprint on anything and everyone he encountered. He was a football coach for the Cheat Lake Chargers and University Hawks. He also developed the Positive Experience Youth Football Camp where children of all ages learned the fundamentals of football. Not only was he a mentor to the youth, Tony inspired many young men to reach their highest potential and to be the very best they could be on and off the football field.
Tony met his life partner, Denisha L. Murray at WVU in 1991, and they have been inseparable ever since. God blessed them with four beautiful children: the late Aneisha Renae, Avery Anthony Jr., of Arlington Va., Ashlyn Renae, of Cary N.C., and Amir Rashad, of Morgantown, who were the light of his life.
Tony was a man of great faith and compassion. He loved God and demonstrated it by the way that he lived. He was fun, caring, protective, and a loving coworker, coach, neighbor and friend.
Tony is preceded in death by his father, Leonard; his brothers, Jeffery and Michael; and his daughter, Aneisha. He leaves to celebrate his life and legacy his devoted life partner, Denisha; his son, Tony Jr.; his daughter, Ashlyn and son Amir; his parents, Terry and Lucille, of Central Islip, N.Y.; siblings, Terry-Lynn Clark, of Westville N.J., Leonard Richardson and Terrance Jones, of Central Islip, N.Y., sister-in-law Danita Thaddeus Freeman, of Cary, N.C.; niece, Christina Richardson, of Greensboro, N.C. and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and other family and friends.
Visitation will be at Mt. Hermon Baptist Church, 1280 Richwood Ave., Morgantown, WV 26505, from 3-7 pm., Friday, Sept. 10. The funeral service is at 11 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 11, where the Rev. Dr. Diane Hobson, of Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, Charleroi, Pa., will be doing the eulogy.
Arrangements are entrusted to the William R. Taylor Funeral Home, Trudy L. Taylor, Director 645 McMahon Ave., Monessen, PA 15062, (724)684-4877.
