Obituary of John J. Devaney

John J. Devaney, beloved husband, father and grandfather, age 73, of Annandale, NJ died peacefully with his loving family by his side on Wednesday, May 26, 2010 at the Country Arch Care Center in Pittstown, NJ. John was born in New York City, son of the late John and Kathleen Devaney, of Springfield, County Sligo, Ireland. John had lived in the town of Clinton for 40 years before moving to Annandale 5 years ago. John graduated from Rice High School, New York City and attended Fordham University. Most of his career was in purchasing management at McGraw-Hill Publishing and Alfa Laval. John was predeceased by his sister Patricia Stephens of Ridgewood, NJ and his brother Gene Devaney and his wife Phyllis of Longwood, FL. He is survived by his devoted wife of 42 years, Helen T. Devaney, his son, Dominican Friar Brother John. Maria, O.P. of Washington, DC and his daughters: Eileen Summerfield and her husband Jeffrey of Cheshire, CT, and Sheila Mandelbaum of Annandale, NJ and granddaughter Sloane Elizabeth Summerfield. He is also survived by 8 nieces and nephews including his Godchildren and brother in law Jim Stephens, along with cousins James F. Devaney and his sister Mary Rice and her husband Michael. John was a member of the Knights of Columbus of the Bronx and to the St. Columcille Gaelic Pipe Band in Kearney, NJ. His love of the pipes as a young boy grew into his passion, and over the years he placed in numerous pipe band competitions, as well as marched in several St. Patrick's Parades in New York City. He was a communicant of Immaculate Conception Church in Annandale and religious education instructor. He was a deeply spiritual man with great devotion to the rosary. He had a broad range of interests including his Irish heritage, Irish music and the music it influenced, his great love of history, reading, books and literature, the beach and ocean. The family and close friends would like to extend their deepest appreciation to the dedicated doctors, nurses, aids and the staff of Country Arch who cared for John the past two years. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Monday, May 31st at 12noon at Immaculate Conception Church in Annandale. Friends and Family will be received on Sunday May 30th from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at the Kearns Funeral Home, 103 Old Highway 28, Whitehouse. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Worldwide Apostolate of Fatima, USA, PO Box 976, 674 Mountain View Road, Washington, NJ 07882. Burial will be in Christ the King Cemetery, Franklin Lakes on Tuesday June 1st.