Lt. (Ret.) John
J. “Jack” Devitt, 81, of Salem, died Sunday, November 13, 2011 in
Salem Hospital. He was the husband of Helen (Oldytowski) Devitt. The
two shared 53 years of loving marriage.
Born in Salem,
the son of the late Andrew J. and Anna (Divine) Devitt, Jack was a
graduate of St. Mary's Grammar School in Salem and St. Mary's High
School in Lynn, Class of 1948. After high school, Jack joined the US
Army to serve his country during the Korean War. After being
Honorably Discharged Jack, returned home and continued his education
at Salem State College before joining the Salem Fire Department. He
was appointed to Fire Headquarters on May 15, 1955. In his
thirty-two year career with the department, Jack received several
commendations and was promoted to Lieutenant in June of 1961. He
retired from duty while stationed at Engine 5 on Feb. 20, 1987.
Jack was a
lifelong resident of Salem and was a parishioner of Immaculate
Conception Church, Salem. An avid boater, Jack had been a member of
the Salem Willows Yacht Club for 56 years, a member of Bass Haven
Yacht Club for over 15 years, and was also a member of the Marblehead
Sail and Power Squadron.
Surviving, in
addition to his wife Helen, are two sons; Andrew Devitt and his wife
Carolyn of Beverly, and Matthew Devitt of Salem, five granddaughters;
Julianna, Natalie, Nora, Riley, and Braiden Devitt, a niece and
several nephews. He is predeceased by a brother and sister-in-law,
William and June Rose Devitt.
Relatives and
friends are invited to visiting hours in the Berube and Sons Funeral
Home 191 Lafayette St. (Rt.1A/114) Salem, Thursday from 3-7 pm. A
funeral Mass will be held Friday at Immaculate Conception Church at
10 am. Burial will follow in Massachusetts National Cemetery in
Bourne, MA at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may
be made in Jack's name to the Plummer Home for Boys through www.PlummerHome.org
or by calling 978-744-1099.
Below are maps to the Immaculate Conception Church and to Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne. Click 'view larger map' below each map to get specific directions from your location.
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