Vincent J. DeVito Sr. Memorial

VJD Memorial Photos

2009-07-27T17:21:00.000-07:00

VJD Memorial Photos

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VJD Memorial Photos

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VJD Memorial Photos

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VJD Memorial Photos

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VJD Memorial Photos

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VJD Memorial Photos

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Eat at DeVito's

2009-06-06T04:32:00.000-07:00

On Memorial Day June 6 from Bilbo.

2009-06-06T04:31:00.000-07:00

I sit beside the fire and think

of all that I have seen,

of meadow flowers and butterflies

in summers that have been;

Of yellow leaves and gossamer

in autumns that there were,

with morning mist and silver sun

and wind upon my hair.

I sit beside the fire and think

of how the world will be

when winter comes without a spring

that I shall ever see.

For still there are so many things

that I have never seen:

in every wood, in every spring

there is a different green.

I sit beside the fire and think

of people long ago,

and people who will see a world

that I shall never know.

But all the while I sit and think

of times that were before,

I listen for returning feet

and voices at my door.

Bilbo Baggins

Joe Taffe shares a memory of Big Vince

2009-06-06T04:27:00.001-07:00

From Joe Taffe, Waverly friend of all the DeVito Kids.

I am terminally stymied on posting a story to the blog . . . Need the help of a teenagers!!

Mine is from the great 1987 trip following the catastrophe to Waverly and Athens for the Festival and just hitting the airport, borrowing a car and showing up at the lake and visiting and pitching a tent in the side yard. Good night of visiting (under the circumstances) and Elaine and I crawled off to bed. In the morning with all the mayhem and family and friends and grandkids, the was Vince Sr. taking pictures of what he thought was most interesting which was our tent pitched in his yard as he invited us in for breakfast. One of a kind. My heart holds extra love for you during this time take it and be well.

From Susie

2009-06-06T04:25:00.000-07:00

From our cousin Susan Henne Morabito

Dear DeVito Family,

It is with a heavy heart that I celebrate you father's passing. He is the last of my relatives from his generation that has passed. With his passing I must also experience my own mortality. Would I do anything different with my life?
What a wonderful man my Uncle Vince was with a heart as big as the world. I fondly rememeber how he always greeted me with his big smile, and gentle words "how are you Susie?" with such genuine inquiry that it boosted me up and made my day. I will always remember my visits to my cousins in southern Ohio. I loved when my Uncle Vince would make his famous pizza, even if he wisked my cousin Vicky away from me to make the dough. The pizza was almost the best culinary experience in the world, with the exception of my Aunt Jeanne 's lasagna. Nothing could top that.

For some reason, I rem ember my Uncle using his favorite nick-name for Vince Jr. 'Boomer'. What are you up to 'Boomer'? Water skiing on the lake was also one of my fondest memories. My Aunt Jeanne was like a second Mom to me and my Uncle Vince never hesitated to share his house, family and love with me.

Peace be with us all; may we take time to stop and acknowledge the important times and people in our lives. I wish I had taken the time to come to the memorial but time dances too quickly for me.

I would love to give each and everyone of you a big hug.
Love, Susie

Danielle and Grandpa December 2008

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Vince and Jeanne

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Reva and Grandpa

2009-04-28T15:00:00.000-07:00

Grandpa and Nik

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Happy 80th!

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Angie and Dad 2003

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Dom DeVito

2009-04-28T14:53:00.000-07:00

Danny graduates from USNA

2009-04-28T14:51:00.000-07:00

Birthday Party for Dad 2004

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Patrick and Grandpa May 2008

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Allie and Grandpa Vince January 2009

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Little Vinnie, Laurel and Big VInnie December 2008

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Grandpa and Samuel March 2008

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From Nan, a friend and neighbor of Big Vinnie.

2009-04-28T14:23:00.000-07:00

I have never blogged, and was unable to post this blog on Vince's page (not having the computer skills of the Devito family,) after several attempts,but this is what I wrote, and would have posted if I could:

"Vince always made time for his friends, and a visit. One of my favorite things about Vince was his great ability to come up with a plan, when presented with a dilemma. "Okay....so we have to make a plan."
He was a great thinker, a great problem solver, a great friend. He always had time to listen. Big Vince had a big heart ."

I think of all the Devito family often, wishing each of you the very best, at this difficult time. The passing of your Dad is a huge milestone in your lives. I think Vince was one of the lucky ones, making a quick departure when he was at peace with so many things, the joy of his family, his job, and enjoying the winter weather of Naples. He loved his children beyond anything else.

Share your thoughts and memories.

2009-04-15T15:16:00.000-07:00

I have set this blog up in memory of my Dad, Vince DeVito. I hope you will share your memories of him.

Memorial to Vincent DeVito Sr.

2009-04-14T14:39:00.000-07:00

Vincent John DeVito Sr. died suddenly while playing golf in Naples, Florida on April 8, 2009. Anyone who knew "Big Vince" knows that he played golf with the same passion that he lived life, and he could not have found a better way to depart us.

Vince was born in Canton, Ohio on April 11, 1923, to Caroline and Angelo DeVito, and he was proud of his Italian heritage. As a young man he was active in the Drum & Bugle Corps. He was an exceptional student, skipped two grades in school, and graduated from high school during the great depression. With few work opportunities, he enlisted in the army only months before the U.S. entered World War II. During his five years as an airplane mechanic in the Army Air Corps, he spent time in England before traveling overland from Morocco to China where he served until the war ended. Returning to Ohio after the war, he married a war widow, Jeanne Phister. Smitten by her 2 young children, he raised them as his own, and the couple went on to have 5 more children.

In 1949 Vince earned a B.S. in Business from the Ohio State University and he remained an avid Buckeye throughout his life. After graduation he began his career with Goodyear in Akron. In 1953 he was transferred to the Goodyear Atomic plant in Piketon, Ohio where he held several positions culminating in the role of Director of Site Operations. In 1989 he retired from Martin Marietta (formerly Goodyear); however, he worked with the Institute of Nuclear Materials Management (INMM) until his death. He received the INMM Distinguished Service award in 1984, was made a Fellow of the Institute in 1987, received a Career Service Award in 1997 and the INMM Meritorious Service Award in 2000. He served as Secretary of the INMM from 1973 until his passing.

In addition to his passion for his family and golf, Big Vince enjoyed traveling, photography, cooking and art. In the 1950's he and wife started a Lake White Little Theatre with a group of friends. He was active in St. Mary's Church in Waverly, Ohio and St. Williams Church in Naples. He was a man who never met a stranger; he loved his friends and was well loved by all who knew him. He was a big man with a huge heart.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Dr. John DeVito, stepson, Jack Doyle, stepdaughter, Diane Doyle Howells, and his beloved wife Jeanne. His children Gerald DeVito, Daniel DeVito, Vincent DeVito, Jr., Victoria DeVito and Angela DeVito, his sister, Florence Scridon and fourteen grandchildren, survive him.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated in Canton, Ohio on Saturday, June 6 at 10 am at St. Anthony Catholic Parish. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery. (Rossi Funeral Home 330-492-5830)

A Memorial Service will be held in Waverly, Ohio on Sunday, June 7. Arrangements are pending at this time.

A special fund in Vince’s memory has been established at the non-profit Stoneybrooke Foundation, an organization that serves people with Prader Willi Syndrome (PWS) a condition afflicting Vince’s granddaughter, Nikah.

Address: 303 E. Historic Columbia River Hwy, Troutdale, OR 97060

Contact: Donna Stoney (503) 669-7191.

http://www.stoneybrookeresidential.com