Warm tributes given to fun-loving dentist

Nigel Attwood Stuart Avery, who was known as Stuart or Ave, died aged 82 following a stroke and chest infection on Friday, March 18.

Stuart, a former corporal in the army, who lived in Warsash Road, Warsash, started Stuart Avery Dental Technician in Gosport Road, Fareham, in 1965.

In 1990, the laboratory moved to Dibles Road, Warsash, where it stayed until his retirement in 2003.

Stuart’s step-granddaughter Victoria Hobbs, from Baffins, said: ‘He never stopped helping anyone who came through the door.

‘He frequently had old customers ask if he could repair their dentures and he would do it free of charge while they waited.

‘He was always fair with everyone and his motto was “think twice, act once”. He had a wicked sense of humour and he would chat to anyone he met.’

Stuart, who was born in Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, also played for Arsenal FC in his youth and he managed Hampshire’s youth football team in early 1980s.

He met his late wife Linda Avery working at the dental practice in 1978 when he employed her to deliver and collect broken dentures from dentists in Waterlooville, Havant, Portsmouth, Fareham, Locks Heath and beyond.

They loved to spend time together at their holiday home at Elmers Court Country Club in the New Forest.

Victoria, 22, said: ‘He absolutely loved that place and religiously went every year until the time that Linda became too ill to go.

‘There were many fun memories.’

Stuart and Linda married at the Botleigh Grange Hotel in 2003, which he said was ‘the best day ever’.

Linda died in February 2013, aged 64, from ovarian cancer.

Stuart’s funeral will be held tomorrow at 1.45pm at the Wessex Vale Crematorium, in West End, Southampton. The family has requested family flowers only, but donations made to Cancer Research UK.

Stuart leaves behind two children, two stepchildren, three grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.