Old Lyme - Dr. Philip "Phil" Patrick Devine, 70, of New York City and Old Lyme passed away in his home on Rogers Lake, August 2, 2020. He was born Jan. 11, 1950, in Long Beach, Calif. and grew up in South San Francisco, Calif. He was the son of the late Adair (Krombka) Devine and John (Jack) Devine and husband of 41 years to the late Dr. Theodore J. Kowalski.

Phil attended El Camino High School, then went on to the University of San Francisco, where he graduated with a doctorate in education. Phil had a passion for musical theater; and he directed performances in a small community recreation center in South San Francisco. As an English teacher in Brentwood, Calif., he also became musical director for the community theater, where he produced such shows as "Pippin," "Fiddler on the Roof," "Jesus Christ Superstar" and many more. It is in San Francisco where he met his future husband, Ted Kowalski, May 5, 1978. Phil and Ted returned to Ted's beloved East Coast in 1984, where Phil taught English in the Stratford Public Schools system. Over the next 21 years, he would go on to become head of the English department for the entire district and gain recognition for his work on K-12 English curricula. On a personal level, Phil and Ted made LGBTQ history by being the first gay male couple to have a child, with a surrogate through a surrogacy agency, when their son Andrew was born in February of 1987. They became activists in the gay and lesbian struggle to define gay parental rights, which eventually ended with the Supreme Court decision to uphold same-sex marriage in 2015.

Phil is survived by his son, Andrew John Kowalski Devine; and their corgi, Miss Billie. He also is survived by his brothers, Dennis Devine, Steve Devine and Tim Devine; and his sisters, Suzanne Wyatt and Tammy Devine. Phil is also survived by his in-laws, The Very Reverend James A. Kowalski and Ellen-Jo Fraser; along with many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of the life of Philip P. Devine will be held Saturday Aug. 15, 2020, for family and close friends. A West Coast celebration honoring the lives of Phil and Ted will be planned for a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Lambda Legal, Gay and Lesbian Legal Defense Fund, an organization of which Phil and Ted were active supporters: https://www.lambdalegal.org/

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Day on Aug. 10, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Philip Devine

Sponsored by Fulton-Theroux Funeral Service.

12 Entries

Dick willet t

August 1, 2023

A good friend and neighbor

Johnny

January 13, 2023

I, too, was one of his students at LUHS (73-74). He was one of the good ones. He made me, someone more focused on technology, industrial arts, and being a stage hand, care a bit about Shakespeare, literature, and theatre.

Kate Stornetta

October 15, 2022

Mr. Devine was my high school drama teacher in Brentwood during the 1970s. He was one of those teachers you never forget and brought a lot of flair to our small, rural school. He is the reason I moved to San Francisco after graduating and attended USF. RIP Mr. Devine.

Jennifer Hall

August 17, 2020

To Phil's family and friends, especially Andrew: I was "only" Phil's vet for his beloved Miss Billy, but he always made me feel so welcome in his home on Roger's Lake during our housecalls. He always asked about my children and was delighted to celebrate their successes with me - education always being so obviously important to him! I cannot believe he is gone - he will be missed so very much!

Anne Francini

August 17, 2020

I worked with Phil in SSF long ago and always admired his talent and ability to work with children. I offer my most sincere condolence to his family. However I am so very pleased to read about his success and happiness in his life and for that I find a bit of peace knowing his story. Bless you all. Anne Francini

Deborah Mentz

Planted Trees

June Dayao

August 15, 2020

He was super supportive and always had his best intentions for all of us. We will miss him dearly. A hui hou, until we meet again.

Mim & Dick Willett

August 14, 2020

Phil was a great friend and neighbor at Rogers Lake and will be missed. His passing was a shock and far too soon!

Marge Sherman

August 13, 2020

To Phil's son, Andrew, and family,
I worked with Phil in the 80's in Stratford and found him to be such an interesting and intelligent person. The last time I saw Phil was on the train platform in Stamford. He was going into NY and I was headed to Greenwich. We chatted a bit and then bid goodbye- Great smile and personality.

I remember when Andrew was born and the excitement we all felt for Phil and Ted. I even had the pleasure of meeting Andrew once as a young boy. (Such a handsome young man) Andrew was the Phil and Ted's pride and joy.

Phil was a man ahead of his times, a unique thinker. He added such a different perspective on things in conversations and discussions. It has been my pleasure to know him. I offer my sympathies to Andrew, his family and close friends. He was much too young and vibrant to leave this world.

Evanna Murray

August 11, 2020

Dear Andrew,
I was deeply saddened to learn of Phil's passing. He was an outstanding and impressive father, educator and friend. I am so very fortunate to have known him on all three levels. I cherish those memories as I cherish the memories of you as a student. Please share my sincere and loving condolences with your family.

Timothy Devine

August 10, 2020

A warm and passionate brother who has left this world far too early ... he will be missed by all of those whose lives he touched. Love- Tim (brother), Daphne (sister-in-law), Arthur and Rita (niece and nephew)

Gregory Bottoms

August 7, 2020

A fellow thespian alumni of El Camino High School. His talents will be missed.

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