Dr. John J. Devine Jr.

1937 - 2018

EASTON - Dr. John "Jack" Joseph Devine Jr., 80, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 14, 2018, surrounded by his family. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend.
Born in 1937, Dr. Devine grew up in South Orange, NJ, with his parents, Dr. John J. Devine Sr. and Madeleine Devine; and brothers: Tom and Kevin. He attended Georgetown University in Washington, DC, where he earned both his undergraduate and medical degrees. Dr. Devine completed his urology internship at Saint Vincent's Hospital in New York City, then returned to Georgetown for his urology residency.
In 1972, Dr. Devine and his family moved to Easton, where he partnered with Dr. Edmond J. Fitzgerald to form Fitzgerald and Devine, MD, PA, a urology practice with offices in Easton, Cambridge, and Chestertown, that served patients across the mid-shore area for the next 40 years. Dr. Devine was known as a well-trained and respected urologic surgeon with close ties to the University of Maryland, Johns Hopkins, Georgetown, and George Washington University. He always displayed genuine concern and empathy for his patients and for his staff and co-workers. He was instrumental in bringing state-of-the-art urological surgery and therapies to the Eastern Shore of Maryland, including extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for kidney stones and brachytherapy for prostate cancer. Drs. Devine and Fitzgerald also founded the first free prostate cancer screening clinics on the Eastern Shore and for years conducted regular screenings open to anyone.
Never one to slow down, after his retirement from medicine, Jack worked with his son to establish one of Maryland's first oyster aquaculture farms, Barren Island Oysters.
Jack was devoted to his wonderful wife of 54 years, Colette van Houten Devine, and to their seven children. Jack loved to sail, spend time with his children and grandchildren, and to work on his model trains. He had a passion for youth athletics and volunteered countless hours as a coach and umpire for the Easton Little League, for the junior sailing program at the Tred Avon Yacht Club, and for the YMCA youth swimming league in Easton.
Jack was a long-time board member and chairman of the board of The Country School, where he established the school's endowment fund, and served two terms as Chief of the Medical Staff at Memorial Hospital. Jack also served as Fleet Surgeon and member of the Board of Governors of the Tred Avon Yacht Club.
Jack is survived by his wife, Colette, their seven children: Colette (Adrian), John, Patrick (Katie), Michele, Claire (Alex), Timothy, Bernadette; his eight grandchildren: Caroline, William, Jasper, Brendan, Sophia, Oliver, Alexandra, Annika; his brothers: Thomas and Kevin; and many nieces and nephews.
A funeral liturgy will be Celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 19, at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 1210 S. Washington St., Easton, MD 21601. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Dr. John J. Devine to Talbot Hospice, 586 Cynwood Dr., Easton, MD 21601 or St. Vincent de Paul, P.O. Box 783, Easton, MD 21601.
Arrangements are being handled by Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home P.A., Easton.
For online tributes, please visit: www.fhnfuneralhome.com.