John Gilbert Devine

John G. (Jack) Devine, loving brother, husband, father, grandfather, and uncle, passed away suddenly and peacefully on December 30, 2021.  As he liked to say, he was “92 years young”.

Jack was born in Detroit and spent the first 60+ years of his life there.  He graduated from Cass Tech High School, and in 1945 joined the Fruehauf Trailer Corporation as a draftsman.  A gifted mechanical engineer, he enjoyed a 45+ year career at Fruehauf, rising to the position of Senior Product Engineer.  Jack was an expert at any transportation requiring refrigeration, and traveled the world for Fruehauf working on trailers, containers, and railroad cars.  He finished his professional career as a supplier with GM and Saturn.

He answered his country’s call for duty and served in the Korean Conflict, spending 2 years on the ground in Korea, rising to the rank of Master Sargent. 

Jack remained a bachelor for many years, while becoming an All-Star bowler in Detroit and a scratch golfer.  He could be found many evenings at Turners in Detroit, enjoying swimming, bowling, and camaraderie with his friends.  His favorite house was Ritter’s, where he enjoyed spending time with his great friends Bud Ritter and Paul Cito, among many others.   In his retirement, he was passionate about sports, knowledgeably speaking about teams and players in multiple sports.  He was a lifelong proud, enthusiastic, and vocal University of Michigan fan.

His life changed when his sister Mary, a nurse, introduced him to her good friend and nursing colleague Mary Ann Beckosky, also never married, and near him in age.  Though what would be considered now, and certainly then, to be “later in life”, they married and started a family.  First living in Roseville, and then moving out to the then hinterlands of Shelby Township in the mid 1970’s, they raised their family of 3 children (David, Janet, and Nancy), surrounding them with love and opportunity.  Their 3 children became the first in the family to attend college, all graduating from Alma College.

Retirement in the mid 1990’s was a move to Niceville, FL, in the Panhandle near Destin.  Mary Ann and Jack embraced the Bluewater Bay community, enjoying time with old friends plus a host of new ones.   Jack became serious about his fitness; avidly walking 3-4 miles per day.   They also had 2 new bright stars in their universe, their grandchildren Rylie and Logan. 

Beginning around 2012, Mary Ann’s health began to decline.  They bravely faced these challenges together, with Jack becoming Mary Ann’s primary caregiver.  Mary Ann passed in November of 2017.   Jack used his daily walking regime to heal, keep moving forward and remember his wife of 51 years.  He was a fixture of Bluewater Bay, no matter the temperature or the condition.  He also loved visiting his children, but most looked forward to seeing his dear Rylie and Logan.  Any day he saw or spoke to them was one he always treasured.

Jack’s health began to challenge him in late 2020.  At 91, so he could continue to walk, he had heart stents inserted.  That surgery revealed that he was suffering from congestive heart failure.  True to his nature, he continued to push himself and others.  “Independent”, “determined”, and maybe even “stubborn” were used to describe him.  Despite a spirit that could never be dominated, his heart wasn’t able to match this, and he passed away as he would have wanted to on December 30, 2021.

Jack is survived by his 2 sisters Mary Bruebaker (Lloyd – deceased) and Ann Hudgens (Marion “Hudge” – deceased), his niece Cheryl Obudzinski (Dave, Katie, Emily and Sarah), his niece Karen Phair, his children David Devine, Janet Danforth (Chad, Rylie, and Logan), and Nancy Devine.

The family will conduct a private service and thank you for simply remembering Jack and Mary Ann in your thoughts and prayers.

The family is not accepting flowers or trees.

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