John E. McDevitt, Sr.

John E. McDevitt, Sr. age 87, of Philadelphia, PA passed away on Sunday, September 17, 2023 at his daughter's home in Phoenixville.  He was the loving husband of the late Carol A. (McMenamin) McDevitt.

He was born in Philadelphia, PA on September 19, 1935 to the late Peter and Ottilie (Merkelt) McDevitt.  Jack was a graduate of Northeast Catholic High School.  After graduation, he spent time in West Virginia playing minor league baseball for the A’s.  He later joined the Army as well and studied to become a master plumber.  Jack was a proud member of Plumbers Union Local 690 in Philadelphia for many years until his retirement. 

He is survived by a daughter, Kara McDevitt Lewis and son, John McDevitt, Jr.  He was preceded in death by a brother, Peter McDevitt.

Jack and his family spent many summers together at their vacation home in Ocean City, NJ, and the shore was a very special place for them all.  He and his wife Carol were happily married for just short of 51 years.     

Jack lived life to the fullest and never lost his vibrancy and love for being active in his retirement years.  He was an avid reader, cook, gardener, stock trader, Eagles and Phillies fan, beach lover and was very politically active.  You could find him almost daily still walking 3-4 miles on the Wissahickon Trail well into his mid-eighties.  He loved his dogs, Oreo and Vanessa, both of whom he rescued and gave a great life.  He especially enjoyed going to restaurants and loved eating breakfast at Bruno’s in Chestnut Hill and dinner at the Austrian Village.  He was a true example of how age was just a number!!

Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, September 27^th at St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Church, 500 S. Main Street, Phoenixville, PA 19460.  Visitation from 10:00 - 10:45 am, Mass at 11:00 am.  Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Friends of the Wissahickon. https://fow.org/membership-donations/donate/