John J. Devine Obituary
John "Jack" J. Devine, 95, husband of the late Mary (Ryan) Devine, died on Sunday, April 13 surrounded by family at the River Glen Health Care Center in Southbury. Born in South Norwalk, and a lifelong resident of Norwalk, was the son of the late James and Mabel (Tucker) Devine. He was also predeceased by his daughter Elizabeth "Betsy" Bestercy and two sisters Norma Maestro and Jean Verbanic.
Jack served in the US Army as a Staff Sargent, with the 28th Infantry Division. Special Troops and was stationed in Germany. He worked as a lineman for CL&P and later for SNET for 36 years, retiring as a Manager. He was a past recipient of the SNET NOVA Outstanding Achievement Award.
He graduated from Norwalk High School in 1948 where he excelled in basketball and also played baseball and soccer. Jack played basketball in many leagues before going into the US Army in 1951. While in the US Army he played for the 28th Infantry Division. Special Troops football team which went 8-0 in 1952 and onto the championship finals in Augsburg, Germany. After the US Army, he continued playing basketball for CL&P and SNET in the Industrial League. He also played 34 seasons for the SNET softball team as the pitcher. Jack was a youth basketball and baseball coach in Norwalk for many years. He was a Norwalk Old Timers Athletic Association Honoree.
In addition, he enjoyed gardening, projects around the house, reading, golfing, his four grandsons and spending time at the American Legion with friends. Jack was a devoted Catholic.
Jack was a life member of the American Legion- Post 12, honorary life member of the Knights of Columbus, and member of the Laurel Athletic Club.
He is survived by his son Shaun Devine, daughter-in-law Jill Devine, and his grandsons Cavan Devine, Ryan Devine, Brent Bestercy and Patrick Devine as well as many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to River Glen Health Care Center for the compassionate care they provided Jack during his residence with a special heartfelt thanks to Nurse Sunny.
His family will receive friends on Monday, April 21 from 4 to 7 PM at the Manger Funeral Home, 12 Mott Ave., Norwalk. His Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, April 22, at 11AM at St. Jerome Church, 23 Half Mile Road, Norwalk. Burial with military honors will follow at St. John Cemetery, Norwalk.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. (t2t.org).
