Obituary of Thomas Devitt

<h1>Thomas Devitt</h1> 1921 – 2007 He was a gentle man and in every sense of the word, a true gentleman. It is with sadness that during the afternoon of February 13, 2007, Jim left us from his home after a full and meaningful life. He was predeceased by both parents, his sisters Winnifred Wagg and Stella Devitt as well as his brother Harry. He celebrated his 85th birthday on July 30, 2006, at a family surprise party in Ayr. Jim is survived by his loving wife and partner, Elise. They celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary on December 16, 2006. Jim is remembered with respect and affection by his sister-in-law Helen Devitt of Bobcaygeon, Ontario; nieces Wendy Terry, Toronto, Ontario, and Diane Nicholls (John), Bobcaygeon, Ontario; nephews Douglas Devitt, Bobcaygeon, Ontario, and Murray Devitt, Barrie, Ontario; great nieces, Dawn Devitt, Barrie, Onatrio, Denise Devitt, Oshawa, Ontario; Bonnie Patterson (James), Bobcaygeon, Ontario; Shane Devitt (Christina), Innisfil, Ontario; Kelly Nicholls (Jennifer), Loretto, Ontario; Russell Capitanio, Toronto, Ontario; great, great nieces Shannon Patterson, Jillian Nicholls, Olivia Elise Devitt and Jordyn Devitt; great great nephews Nickolas Patterson, Adam Patterson and Gavin Nicholls. Prior to WWII Jim had been employed by Inco in a nickel mine near Sudbury, Ontario. Jim enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy at the beginning of the war. His first sea-duty experience was on loan to the Royal Navy as a destroyer crew member. The training he received in the British Navy was extensive and thorough. He served briefly with the US Navy then returned to the RCN serving on destroyers, frigates and corvettes. Following the war Jim worked in gold mines in the Timmins area. He moved to Kitchener-Waterloo in 1949, and has been a member of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Kicthener, since 1954. He loved working with people and enjoyed curling and golf. He was also very interested in politics and diligently corresponded with MPPs, MPs, and the Prime Minister’s Office. Jim was modestly proud of his selection as a member of the HRH the Duke of Edinburgh’s Commonwealth Study Conference in 1962. He maintained his interest in this group and as an alumnus recently received the history book commemorating the 50th anniversaty of this ongoing conference. The book is entitled “Leadership in the Making – 50 Years of HRH the Duke of Edinburgh’s Commonwealth Study Conferences”. Jim was employed with Dominion Rubber/Uniroyal Limited for 36 years in Kitchener, Lindsay and Elmira prior to his retirement in 1986 as Human Relations Manager. In compliance with Jim’s wished, cremation has already taken place. A private family memoiral service is to be held at Parkview Cemetery. In living memory of Jim, a tree will be planted in the Grand River Conservancy Forest. Condolences to the family and donations to the Grand River Conservancy Foundation, or an organization of your choice would be gratefully received, and can be arranged through the Erb and Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King Street South, Waterloo, - 519-745-8445 or www.erbgood.com