John E. Avola, of Palm Beach Gardens, passed away peacefully on October 21, 2018, surrounded by his loving family. John was predeceased by his wife, Barbara Hollo Avola, in 2016, and is survived by his sons, Christopher (Ellen), Robert, and John; his cherished sister, Emily White of Monroe, Connecticut; his sister-in-law, Joan Wollert of Fairfield, Connecticut; as well as 17 nieces, nephews, their spouses, and off springs numbering well into the 50's, who knew him as their beloved "Uncle John". John was born on June 8, 1929, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the son of the late John and Mary (nee Casa) Avola. John was a graduate of Warren Harding High School and the University of Bridgeport, where he lettered in varsity football. Following his college graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict, and proudly served his country in the Army Counter-Intelligence Division in Japan. He joined the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company in 1953 where he ultimately became a District Manager. Following his retirement in 1988, he joined the Knights of Columbus as a Field Director in their Insurance division for 11 years. He was a great, kind, and cherished friend to all who met him, and a hero to his two sons, Christopher and Robbie. John was a faithful and devoted communicant of St. Clare Parish, North Palm Beach. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM Wednesday, October 24, 2018, at St. Clare Catholic Church, with Rev. Fr. William D. O'Shea presiding. In lieu of flowers, the family requests you consider making a donation in honor of his nephew, Connor Aylward, who is battling Cystic Fibrosis. Donations should be made payable to the trustee, Karen Barnes, 67 Woodridge Circle, Trumbull, CT 06611.