James J. McDevitt

LEXINGTON - James J. McDevitt, 86, a lifelong resident of Lexington, died Sunday, Dec. 17, at Lahey Clinic Medical Center in Burlington.

He was the husband of the late Pauline E. ''Polly'' (Qualey) for 46 years.

Born in Arlington on April 21, 1920, he was the son of the late James and Mary (Breen) McDevitt. He graduated from Lexington High School in 1937.

Mr. McDevitt served in the Army during World War II. He was stationed in Guam, and honorably discharged as a technical sergeant in 1946.

Mr. McDevitt was a 1969 graduate of Northeastern University. He received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors in business administration. He was also a graduate of Babson College, receiving a master's degree with distinction in business administration in 1971.

In 1981, Mr. McDevitt retired from New England Telephone with 43 years of service. He began his career in 1937 as a messenger, and worked his way up to division plant manager. He was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America, a previous Lexington Town Meeting Member, and an honorary deputy sheriff of Middlesex County.

He enjoyed Popponesset Beach on Cape Cod. He was an avid reader and walker. He took up the computer at age 71, and was a frequent contributor to the Brickbats & Bouquets Column in the Lexington Minuteman newspaper.

He served as a communicant at St. Brigid's Church in Lexington, and St. Eulalia's Church in Winchester.

He was the devoted father of James L. McDevitt and his wife Judith of Lexington, Edward M. McDevitt and his late wife Colleen of Waltham, Louise A McDevitt and her husband Michael Piniewski of West Dover, Vt., and Pauline B. McDevitt and her husband Joseph Weigand of Hyannis; brother of Mary F. Hadley of Osterville. He was also survived by nine grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held Wednesday, Dec. 20, at St. Brigid Church, Lexington, at 10 a.m. Interment will follow in Westview Cemetery in Lexington.

Visiting hours at Douglass Funeral Home, 51 Worthen Road, Lexington, Tuesday, 4 to 8 p.m.

Donations in his memory may be made to the James and Pauline McDevitt Fund, c/o Cary Memorial Library, 1874 Mass Ave., Lexington, MA 02420.