Brian G. Devine

Brian Gregory Devine, age 63, passed away peacefully at his home in Fort Wayne, Indiana on Tuesday, October 11, 2022. Born on December 3, 1958, in Fort Wayne, he was the son of the late Robert and Mary Devine. Raised in Fort Wayne, Brian grew up in the Catholic faith, and was a 1978 graduate of Northrop High School where he proudly played for his school’s championship football team. He also proudly competed on the Speech & Debate team at the State level. While in high school on the Debate team, he met the love of his life, Debra (Pontius), from an opposing school. They dated in school, eventually went their separate ways after his graduation, and later reconnected in their early 30’s. Eventually marrying in 1993. Together, they spent the next 29 years happily building a life together and raising their son in Fort Wayne. Brian worked as a Sales Manager for Thom McAn Shoes for 15 years. He also worked at the Walmart DC 6074 in Asset Protection for 20 years until he medically retired. Brian greatly loved traveling anywhere with his family, long road trips to many different states, planning adventures, never bored, wanting to see more. He deeply enjoyed spending long hours in light, but often deep conversations, with no shortage of laughs visiting with his close friends on the porch or around a bonfire. After years of working nightshift, he deeply appreciated being outdoors even more, revering God’s beautiful cathedrals of nature in all seasons, quietly walking his many dogs over the years, hiking the local parks, and often visiting many National historic sites to keep learning more about the great land and roots. He felt devoted to religiously attending our local Veterans/Memorial Day Parades to show respect and honor to his own family’s military service appreciation, in addition to many unknown others, and personally embraced any opportunity to express sincere thanks to all our Armed Service members he met in public. He especially loved the freedom of riding his bicycle on the Rivergreenway trails, and anywhere he could take it along on family vacations, from enjoying those most in spent with family in Oregon to North Carolina, to Florida - he rode for fun, never to hurry. Bike rides in National Parks were his favorite. Far or near- he would always say tell whomever he rode with “ Get Ready! It’s not a ride, it’s an Adventure!” With exuberance, he took a lot of other friends and family along on those adventures over the years. Even after his cancer diagnosis, treatments and amputation, nothing stopped him from his joyful bike rides with his wife, son, brother, friends and close family. He always returned home so happy and with a huge smile! His indomitable spirit remained till the end- He was still joyously riding the day before he passed. Brian had a lifelong love of playing cards with friends, excelled at “cutthroat” monopoly games and recently became a “worthy” backgammon opponent, ready for competition till the end. He loved to spend late nights, writing personal cards and letters to many friends and family over the years and did his best to keep in touch or let someone know they mattered and were often in our thoughts. He was an avid reader of many different subjects, books became his favorite gift to receive. Very few escaped the shelves, or the yellow highlighter, dogeared, to be enjoyed again later. He enjoyed many different genres of music, but was a fanatic of the Beatles music and biographies, a big admirer of John Wayne biographies, movies and the Duke’s philosophies on life. Brian loved his Devine Irish heritage and the license that went with it; the many blarney stories told and pranks that were pulled gave him many hours of great fun and laughter! He was a history buff, as well as the family historian. Being the family historian developed Brian’s passion for creating legacy photo albums. What started out with his brother and sister, to create a “scrapbook” as a thoughtful Christmas memories album gift for their parents, eventually led to many more elaborate photo memory albums over the years - 30 completed to date! Luckily, with his wife and son devotedly behind the camera, Brian found the time and patience to put the legacy together, he thoroughly loved becoming the official family “memory maker” over the years. He always felt the need to honor and remember those that built the family’s bond, and preserve them for the future. More importantly, what he loved doing and making time for above anything else was being a Dad to his son, Logan. He often said that “all he ever really wanted out of life was to be the Best Dad that he could.” Prayers answered. In his 63 years, it is abundantly apparent he passed on many life lessons and values - not only to his own son, but luckily for us, to all our beloved 2nd sons unwittingly adopted into the heart of the Devine household. He succeeded beyond measure. Brian will be cherished, remembered and deeply missed by his family and friends alike. He is survived by his wife, Debra Devine; his son Logan Devine; brother, Daniel J. Devine and family; sister, Marie (Michael) Berry and family; and his ever faithful dog, Riley. Brian was preceded in death by his parents and his infant brother, Bobby Devine. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 5, 2022, at Hockemeyer & Miller Funeral Home, 6131 Saint Joe Road, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46835 with visitation from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. A private Celebration of Life Tribute and memory sharing reception will follow the service later on Saturday Nov. 5th Details to be provided from Mrs. Devine and Son at the memorial service. Memorials can be written to Cancer Services of NE Indiana, Honor Flight of Northeast Indiana, and to the Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control in Brian’s name. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the Devine family can be shared at www.hockemeyermillerfh.com.