Fr. John Andrew Joseph Devany C.P.

Servant of God and Friend of Man, Fr. John Andrew Joseph Devany, C.P., 91, went home to his heavenly father on February 25, 2010, after a short illness.

Fr. John was born August 7, 1918, in Akron, Ohio, the fourth of eight children of Dr. Andrew J. Devany and Beatrice Healy Devany. He answered the call of God early, entering the Passionist Preparatory Seminary at the age of 14. He officially entered the Passionist order on July 10, 1939, and was ordained a Roman Catholic priest on June 30, 1945.

His long life was filled with many and varied services for God and neighbor. Among other things, he was Professor of both Moral Theology and of Preaching. He was an itinerant Missionary and Retreat Master. For many years, he was Rector of the Passionist Monastery in Sierra Madre, California, and served on the Provincial Council. More recently, he was the much-loved Director of the Passionist Retreat House in Detroit, Michigan. He never really retired, remaining active as a guest speaker in many Detroit area churches.

Blessed with a booming Irish tenor voice, Fr. John will be remembered most of all for his eloquence. He was the "voice" of the Holy Cross Province, given the title Professor of Sacred Eloquence. Many are the weddings, christenings, and funerals which were made extraordinary and unforgettable by his sermons and homilies. On the occasion of his 90th Birthday, he celebrated an anniversary mass at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Akron, Ohio, receiving a thunderous applause from the appreciative congregation. Fr. John said that especially, he would love to be remembered as the priest who preached about heaven and all that God has prepared for those who respond to His love for us.

Love was a topic on which Fr. John was an expert. He was filled with love for God, for the Church, for his fellow Passionist Brothers and Priests, for his neighbors and friends, and especially for his family, to whom he will always be "Uncle Joe".

He is survived by one brother, Dr. Jack Devany of Toledo, Ohio; and one sister, Mrs. Kathleen Mosher of Kent, Ohio; eight nephews, 16 nieces (each one a "favorite"); 34 great-nephews and nieces; seven great-great-nephews and nieces; his fellow Passionist and best friend, Fr. Randal Joyce, and good buddy Bob Temmerman.

The family wishes to acknowledge the excellent care and kindness extended to Fr. John by his personal physician, Dr. Alexa Joshua, and the medical professionals of the Intensive Care Unit at Sinai-Grace Hospital.

Friends may call Sunday, February 28 from 3 to 8 p.m. at St. Paul of the Cross Chapel, 23335 Schoolcraft Rd., Detroit MI 48223. Mass of Christian Burial 10:00 a.m. Monday, March 1, 2010 at St. Colman Catholic Church, 32500 Middlebelt, Farmington Hills, MI 48334. The family suggests memorials be made to Passionist Community, St. Paul of the Cross, 23335 Schoolcraft Rd., Detroit, MI, 48223.