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Tom McDevitt Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Tom McDevitt
Vic and Elaine Weipert
August 20, 2025
Tom was a dear friend and opened st Johns parish to our non-geographical parish when we grew to 25+ families and could no longer meet in our homes. After a few meetings in the lower level we decided to join the congregation. We are ongoing and now meet at Grand Traverse Pie Company on Sunday mornings. For many years we would go to an island in Michigan, starting with Isle Royal. Tom joined us on occasion and showed us his prowess at the bridge table where he and partner Stuart Sleight trounced Harold Spaeth and me. He was an inspiration to us all and put us all on the same level.
John M. Gonser
April 12, 2025
Fr. Tom oversaw and guided me through my conversion from agnostic to devout Catholic in 1960-1961. I am ever grateful for his council during those difficult times. I pray his soul rests in the fullness of Christ's light.
Doug Jardine
July 15, 2010
I was sad to hear of Fr. Tom's passing, but I am glad to know that he will be with the Lord forever after. I was a student at MSU from '72 - '77 and again from '82-85. As an undergraduate, my first Weekend of Christian Living that I attended with Fr. Tom and other St. John's staff members changed my life and I will be forever thankful. Eternal rest grant to him O Lord and may the perpetual light shine upon him.
Janet and Steven Sproul
May 30, 2010
We are deeply saddened. Father McDevitt married us on September 14, 1980, at the Student Parish. We will celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary this year. Thank you, Dear Father McDevitt. Until we meet again.
Jacki H
May 14, 2010
I love ya. Thanks for the support you gave me when my Mom went to God.
Nancy and Dave Clark
May 13, 2010
Fr Tom married us more than forty years ago and our daughter and her husband almost 15 years ago. We have experienced his spiritual presence throughout our married life and feel blessed to have had him be a part of our life.
Mark & Betty Squier
May 10, 2010
We will miss Fr. Tom tremendously! We are from the Detroit Retrouvaille Community where Fr. Tom so generously helped by presenting many weekends in the Detroit area. We remember the first time we shared our story with the hurting couples in his presence and when we finished sharing the deep misery we experienced, he turned to us and said, "WOW!" His support and gentle concern continued to give us energy to share the painful details of our past in order to offer hope to others. We'll miss you Fr. Tom! Please continue to offer your Spiritual support to the couples who walk through the doors to experience the Retrouvaille ministry.
Retrouvaille of Metro-Detroit
Joe Barabe
May 9, 2010
I was another of the 70's St. John's crew and had the pleasure of his kindness and wisdom. He was a good man, and a good man to know. Blessings to you, Fr. Tom. You did well - very well!
Donna Borkowski
May 8, 2010
I had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know Fr. Tom during the 70's when I attended MSU. He created a wonderfully spiritual, welcoming atmosphere at St. John's and that is where I experienced my "rebirth" as a Catholic-christian. I got to know him better while on retreats and volunteering to serve at liturgies. Thank you Fr. Tom for all the wealth of love and opening up my life to the Spirit. May you rest in peace. You will be missed.
Ann & EJ Lewis
May 8, 2010
We had only knowen Father Tom for a short time while serving together on the Retrouvaille International Board.
However, in that short time, we recognized his gentleness, his leadership qualities and mostly his dedication and passion for the the Retrouvaille ministry. His passing is a great loss to so many and we will miss him very much. EJ and Ann Lewis,
Leduc, Alberta, Canada
Frederick Wenzel
May 6, 2010
The Wenzel family knew and loved Fr.
Tom at St. Agnes right after his ordination. We enjoyed his presence while he was in house with Fr. Olk. My new wife, Karen, and I attended the Pre Marriage weekend in 2008 that he said Mass for. I went to the Sacrament of reconcilation that weekend and he not only forgave my sins, he forgave all the sins I ever committed. My Methodist wife to be was also impressed with him and his committment. After that weekend, I added his name to the priests I pray for daily and now I can pray to him instead. We need it. Fred Wenzel and Karen Florida.
Robert Gallavan
May 6, 2010
A good man and a great priest, my condolonces.
May 6, 2010
May 06,2010
My deepest sympathy to the McDevitt family on the loss of your brother and brother-in law.
What a great loss for all of you.
I had the privilege of getting to know him better after he retired and help on retreats at St.Francis Retreat Center in DeWitt.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Affectionately,
Pat VanBuren
Denis Bach
May 6, 2010
To Fr. Jake, family and friends,
(I catch you, Fr., in winters at MSU's tennis facility...).
My sincere condolences to you. He will certainly be missed. We have our blessed hope and the endless gift of thanksgiving that keep alive the blessings that were God's gift of Fr. Tom! May this parting be sweet sorrow for you. Holy Spirit, Comforter, Come!
I can attest to Fr. Tom's (non)retirement ministry in that I had the honor to serve as a music leader at a good number of masses he celebrated. Some prayer services, too. One could immediately go "deep" with him. He was fully present and great to minister with especially as he certainly DID love to praise God in song!!! "Soon and very soon, we will . . ."
Sincerely he will be missed,
-Denis 'Bach (Dunnebacke)
May 6, 2010
To the McDevitt Family:
I felt honored to have known Fr. Tom. It was always nice to meet him at Jerry and Shirley's home and other special occasions. The memories will always be there for all of you.
With our prayers for you,
Kathryn and Jack Miller
Fr. Dave Adams
May 5, 2010
May our risen Lord welcome Fr. Tom into the eternal joys of heaven. He was a loving, kind, gentle priest who served God's people with a very generous spirit. He was an inspiration to so many people, young and old, and to me and his brother priests as well. May our Lord grant him the reward he so richly deserves.
May 5, 2010
Hillsdale was blessed when Fr. Tom became pastor.He was a man among men and an example of what a good priest is. I enjoyed my talks with him and appreciated his good advise. Phil ( SKip) Fleming SunCity Center Fla.
tom baker
May 5, 2010
during my time as music director at st. john student parish (1995-1998) i encountered many detractors. in spite of this turmoil, at every point of discussion, fr. tom, in conclusion, would always say: "Great!" he was a true supporter & believer in my ministry. thanx! tom !!!
Sam and Paula Thomas
May 5, 2010
To Fr. Tom's family: How blessed Fr. Tom was to have lived this life always in God's presence and always showing love, kindness, respect and joy in his role as priest and friend to so many over the years. We were privileged and honored to enjoy his friendship and grow in our Faith because of him. He will forever be remembered for his unselfish and honorable contribution to St. John Church and to all who knew him. He was a holy priest. We will miss his inspiring presence.
Sandy Maxim
May 5, 2010
Our family has been blessed with Fr. Tom's holy, gentle and kind spirit. My we model after his life and give thanks for our time with Tom.
Maxim Family
charlyn stratton
May 5, 2010
You will be so missed. I will not forget your teachings and you heard my very first confession. You are in my heart.....forever.
Charlyn Stratton
May 5, 2010
Fr. Tom was grounded and certain in a way I have rarely experienced. His influence on thousands of people of all ages has and will make the world a better, more faithful, kinder place. May we all be examples of courage and a welcoming spirit in his honor.
Maureen DeCorte Hall
Willard & Stella Wooster
May 5, 2010
To the McDevitt Family, Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you. We always enjoyed Father Tom when visiting Jerry and Shirleys house and the parties that they used to host. God bless each you.
Michael Martel
May 5, 2010
Father Tom, you made me proud. As a priest at Holy Rosary in Flint, and later at St. John's student parish in East Lansing, I admired your pashion and desire to make all young people better persons. I personally am saddened, as one of the people I respected my whole life is no longer with us on earth. Mike Martel, Fenton, Michigan.
May 5, 2010
I first met Father Tom in 1960 and he was already a world class priest and gentleman. He only got better with the years and will be greatly missed.
Gene Buckley
May 5, 2010
You made us proud, Tom. Your life was such a humble example of servant-leadership. You could never live enough, experience enough, travel enough, or learn enough to satisfy your great desire to become more fully the person God created you to be. As a result, you excelled at preaching and teaching. We grieve not only our loss of a friend and colleague with exceptional dedication, but we grieve the loss of a generation of leaders who were not afraid to embrace change. We will hold you in our memory as you join the communion of saints. Nancy Crego Hardy, Orange CA
Irene and Dick Reimbold
May 5, 2010
Father Tom was the Retrouvaille priest at our first Retrouaille Weekend. It could have been any priest, but it was not. It was Father Tom. Father Tom with his gentleness and spirituality. We served with Father Tom on the Retrouvaille International Board, as well. He will be remembered and missed. Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Irene and Dick Reimbold, Macomb, Michigan
May 5, 2010
We will miss you Tom, Bob and Mary Weyand
Bob McPhilamy
May 5, 2010
We want to say thanks to Tom for making St John Student Parish a Spiritual Home for us for many years. His example on leading people to God will not be equaled. God Bless and Rest In Peace. Bob and Karen McPhilamy, Clermont FL.
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