James M. Devlin

DEVLIN JAMES MICHAEL DEVLIN "Jim" (Age 76) An economist and trade specialist who retired in 1993 from the Commerce Department, died peacefully at home in Chevy Chase, DC, surrounded by his family on December 8, 2011. He suffered from dementia complicated with Parkinson's disease. Jim Devlin was born in Flushing, Queens New York. He held a degree in economics from St. John's University in New York. In 1958, he moved to Washington and joined the Commerce Department. For most of his career he worked for the International Trade Administration. In the 1970's, he served a three-year assignment as Commercial Counsel in Barcelona, Spain. Upon return to the Commerce Department, he was the specialist for the Nordic Region with the assignment of developing business opportunities for U.S. companies interested in exporting to the Nordic market. He was responsible for analyzing trade, investments and economic developments in Finland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden and lceland. He made many visits to the Nordic region to confer with the business community, government officials and trade organizations. On various occasions, he served temporary assignments as Acting Commercial Officer at American embassies in Norway, Finland and Sweden. His favorite pastime was bicycling and for nearly forty years he was a daily bicycle commuter from his home in Chevy Chase, DC, to the Commerce Department. After retirement in 1993, he was active in various volunteer activities. He worked with the American Youth Hostel leading international visitors on walking tours of the nation's capital. He also was a long-time volunteer with the American Councils for International Education serving as an evaluator for the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program. For more than fifteen years, he was Treasurer of the Friends of the Chevy Chase, DC, Library. For over 20 years, he worked each weekend to deliver bread to various shelters and soup kitchens throughout the city. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Evelyn Devlin; and three children, Christina, Gregory and Laura Devlin. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Georgetown on Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at 11 a.m. Family and friends will be welcomed for a viewing in the church at 10 a.m. The Devlin family invites you to join them for fond memories and refreshments at Father McKenna Hall adjacent to the Church immediately following the service. Interment will be private. ln lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Community Hospice of Washington, 3720 Upton Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20016.ln lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Community Hospice of Washington, 3720 Upton Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20016.