Obituary for James E. McDevitt
James Edward McDevitt, 77, of Philadelphia, passed away at home with his wife of 44 years by his side on Tuesday, October 11, 2022.
Jim was predeceased by his parents, Jane and Joseph, his beloved sisters, Kathleen and Rosemary, and his sister-in-law, Marjorie. He is survived by his wife Helene (née McLaughlin), their daughter Katie, Katie’s husband Greg Howe, sisters Jane and Elizabeth, brothers Bernard and Joseph, numerous McDevitt and McLaughlin cousins, nieces, nephews, and godchildren, and his granddog, Tripp.
Jim often spoke of his idyllic childhood on Glendale Road in Upper Darby, PA. The fourth child of seven in a tight-knit Irish Catholic family, he forged lifelong friendships in the neighborhood, on the basketball court, and on the baseball field.
One of his proudest childhood accomplishments was scoring the winning run of a championship game, sacrificing his body as he barreled into the catcher, forcing him to drop the ball. This wasn’t the only time Jim would use his physical prowess to save the day. Anyone who knew Jim knew how tough he was. He wasn’t afraid to take a stand to protect his siblings when they had differences of opinion with bigger kids.
After receiving a bachelor’s degree in English from St. Joseph’s University, Jim was immediately drafted into the U.S. Army. He served as a sergeant of special communications in Korea during the Vietnam War. Jim took pride in his skill as a cryptographer; he was a natural at operating a telegraph machine using Morse code, just as his father and grandfather had while working for the Reading Railroad.
After he completed his tour of duty, Jim volunteered with the AmeriCorps VISTA program, teaching children in a low-income part of Richmond, VA. This experience left a deep impression on Jim, exposing him to inequality like he had never seen before and confirming his desire to continue educating children.
Jim began work at Woodhaven School in Philadelphia as a special education teacher for children and young adults with varying degrees of behavioral challenges. He soon realized he had found his calling, and he continued teaching with compassion, love, and extraordinary tolerance for 33 years.
His sister Elizabeth introduced Jim to her college friend, Helene. And the rest, as they say, was history. Jim and Helene were married in 1978, and even though Jim was a self-described homebody, he indulged Helene’s love of travel, journeying to Ireland, the Caribbean, Mexico, and all over the country. They spent summers in Wildwood Crest, enjoying happy hours at the Crest Tavern. But Jim’s happiest hours were spent with family and friends, sharing memories of their childhood and school years.
When his only child – Katie – was born, she instantly became the center of his universe. For years, he would answer the phone, “Katie Land?” When asked in recent years about what he is most proud of in life, the list was exclusively Katie-centric: coaching her in softball, report cards, graduations, and most recently, her marriage. The day Katie married Greg, Jim wore a pink tie…the same pink tie he had worn for every milestone in Katie’s life, beginning with her christening.
Jim came from a family who deeply loved one another, and he deeply loved his family. His big heart and mischievous sense of humor made him a favorite to many of his nieces and nephews, and his way with infants earned him the nickname “the baby whisperer.” This tough guy was a secret softie, who would say to the kids, “Who loves you? Your Uncle Jimmy. And why? Because you deserve it!”
Jim was a pro at music trivia and routinely trounced anyone who dared oppose him in Words With Friends. Besides being the champion of crossword puzzles (which he completed daily…in ink!), Jim said that he wanted to be remembered as “one of the good guys.”
Jim’s family would like to express their gratitude to the Veterans Association physicians and staff for their kindness in caring for Jim through his many illnesses.
The family is especially grateful to Robyn McGovern, who entered their lives as a nurse at Albert Einstein Medical Center, eventually becoming a cherished friend. She happened to live five houses down the street and routinely spent time with Jim and Helene after her shifts at the hospital. They consider Robyn to be Jim’s “guardian angel,” who came to his rescue on many, many occasions.
Throughout his various medical treatments and hospital stays, Jim attempted to keep things light to put his loved ones at ease. He took his fighting spirit to the next level, and when asked how he was feeling – even during the worst of times – Jim would pretend to shadow box and say he was “strong like bull.”
And by his side through it all was Helene. Though she would likely eschew the spotlight, Helene has been an absolute champion in her advocacy for her husband. Jim knew he couldn’t lose with Helene in his corner. They made a formidable team and fought for every moment of their last few years together.
Relatives and friends are invited to Jim’s visitation on Saturday, October 15, 2022 from 9:30am to 11:00am at Louis A. DiGiacomo Funeral Home Inc., 1055 Southampton Road, Philadelphia, PA 19116. A Words of Remembrance Service will begin at 11:00am and will conclude with U.S. Army Honors.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Gift of Life at https://www.donors1.org/give-to-gift-of-life
To contribute by check please make the check out to "Transplant Foundation" and mail to: Gift of life donor program
401 N. 3rd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19123
Share memories at www.DiGiacomoFuneralHome.com
Jim was predeceased by his parents, Jane and Joseph, his beloved sisters, Kathleen and Rosemary, and his sister-in-law, Marjorie. He is survived by his wife Helene (née McLaughlin), their daughter Katie, Katie’s husband Greg Howe, sisters Jane and Elizabeth, brothers Bernard and Joseph, numerous McDevitt and McLaughlin cousins, nieces, nephews, and godchildren, and his granddog, Tripp.
Jim often spoke of his idyllic childhood on Glendale Road in Upper Darby, PA. The fourth child of seven in a tight-knit Irish Catholic family, he forged lifelong friendships in the neighborhood, on the basketball court, and on the baseball field.
One of his proudest childhood accomplishments was scoring the winning run of a championship game, sacrificing his body as he barreled into the catcher, forcing him to drop the ball. This wasn’t the only time Jim would use his physical prowess to save the day. Anyone who knew Jim knew how tough he was. He wasn’t afraid to take a stand to protect his siblings when they had differences of opinion with bigger kids.
After receiving a bachelor’s degree in English from St. Joseph’s University, Jim was immediately drafted into the U.S. Army. He served as a sergeant of special communications in Korea during the Vietnam War. Jim took pride in his skill as a cryptographer; he was a natural at operating a telegraph machine using Morse code, just as his father and grandfather had while working for the Reading Railroad.
After he completed his tour of duty, Jim volunteered with the AmeriCorps VISTA program, teaching children in a low-income part of Richmond, VA. This experience left a deep impression on Jim, exposing him to inequality like he had never seen before and confirming his desire to continue educating children.
Jim began work at Woodhaven School in Philadelphia as a special education teacher for children and young adults with varying degrees of behavioral challenges. He soon realized he had found his calling, and he continued teaching with compassion, love, and extraordinary tolerance for 33 years.
His sister Elizabeth introduced Jim to her college friend, Helene. And the rest, as they say, was history. Jim and Helene were married in 1978, and even though Jim was a self-described homebody, he indulged Helene’s love of travel, journeying to Ireland, the Caribbean, Mexico, and all over the country. They spent summers in Wildwood Crest, enjoying happy hours at the Crest Tavern. But Jim’s happiest hours were spent with family and friends, sharing memories of their childhood and school years.
When his only child – Katie – was born, she instantly became the center of his universe. For years, he would answer the phone, “Katie Land?” When asked in recent years about what he is most proud of in life, the list was exclusively Katie-centric: coaching her in softball, report cards, graduations, and most recently, her marriage. The day Katie married Greg, Jim wore a pink tie…the same pink tie he had worn for every milestone in Katie’s life, beginning with her christening.
Jim came from a family who deeply loved one another, and he deeply loved his family. His big heart and mischievous sense of humor made him a favorite to many of his nieces and nephews, and his way with infants earned him the nickname “the baby whisperer.” This tough guy was a secret softie, who would say to the kids, “Who loves you? Your Uncle Jimmy. And why? Because you deserve it!”
Jim was a pro at music trivia and routinely trounced anyone who dared oppose him in Words With Friends. Besides being the champion of crossword puzzles (which he completed daily…in ink!), Jim said that he wanted to be remembered as “one of the good guys.”
Jim’s family would like to express their gratitude to the Veterans Association physicians and staff for their kindness in caring for Jim through his many illnesses.
The family is especially grateful to Robyn McGovern, who entered their lives as a nurse at Albert Einstein Medical Center, eventually becoming a cherished friend. She happened to live five houses down the street and routinely spent time with Jim and Helene after her shifts at the hospital. They consider Robyn to be Jim’s “guardian angel,” who came to his rescue on many, many occasions.
Throughout his various medical treatments and hospital stays, Jim attempted to keep things light to put his loved ones at ease. He took his fighting spirit to the next level, and when asked how he was feeling – even during the worst of times – Jim would pretend to shadow box and say he was “strong like bull.”
And by his side through it all was Helene. Though she would likely eschew the spotlight, Helene has been an absolute champion in her advocacy for her husband. Jim knew he couldn’t lose with Helene in his corner. They made a formidable team and fought for every moment of their last few years together.
Relatives and friends are invited to Jim’s visitation on Saturday, October 15, 2022 from 9:30am to 11:00am at Louis A. DiGiacomo Funeral Home Inc., 1055 Southampton Road, Philadelphia, PA 19116. A Words of Remembrance Service will begin at 11:00am and will conclude with U.S. Army Honors.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Gift of Life at https://www.donors1.org/give-to-gift-of-life
To contribute by check please make the check out to "Transplant Foundation" and mail to: Gift of life donor program
401 N. 3rd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19123
Share memories at www.DiGiacomoFuneralHome.com