John Deveau

Scarborough—John Deveau, age 96, Portland, Maine passed away peacefully on November 15, 2015, at the Maine Veterans’ Home, surrounded by family. He was born in Dorchester (Boston), Massachusetts, on August 8, 1919, the son of John A. and Edith (Surette) Deveau. He lived there as a child, attending public and parochial schools. During and after high school, John worked at a variety of jobs, before being drafted into the Army in 1941. His first job seems to have been with a grocery chain, work he was later to reprise before retiring fully around the turn of the century.

He was married to Mildred M. Casey on September 25, 1943. For many years they resided in Tewksbury, Mass., where they lived with their son and daughter. In 1986, they relocated to the town of Yarmouth, Maine. In 2006, they moved to Birchwoods at Canco Assisted Living in Portland.

A quiet humor and an observant eye characterized John’s personality. People who met him for the first time would remark, “He is such a nice guy!” This was universal, whether he was interacting with staff at Birchwoods who saw him every day and loved him, or staff at the Maine Veterans’ Home who knew him only very briefly. In work and in his private life, John was careful and organized, meticulously attentive to detail, and creative in finding practical solutions. Undemanding and independent, John’s appreciation of the world around him enabled him to enjoy whatever he could in life.

John was very proud of having served his country and never tired of sharing with friends. In recent times, he became friendly with other veterans and was always proud to be asked about his service. During World War II, John served almost five years in the Army, from February 1941 to December 1945. He was assigned to Headquarters Battery, 8th Coast Artillery in Portland, Maine. (He seemed to find it amusing that he was stationed here, when he had no idea he would end up living in Maine.)

He also served with 546th Field Artillery Battalion in Europe. Both stateside and in Europe, John supervised and was responsible for handling many aspects of administrative work. In addition to administrative training, discharge papers also note that he was trained as a marksman. He was awarded a Good Conduct Medal, a Victory Medal, and an American Defense Medal.

John was always employed, working in a variety of jobs. From 1946 to 1960, he worked for the Boston and Maine Railroad as a brakeman and conductor. Later John was employed by General Tire in Reading, Mass. as a production foreman for 23 years. In his retirement, John worked part-time in the produce section at Hannaford in Yarmouth. He was fondly referred to as “Boss” by his fellow workers. He was often greeted when he was out in the community, and if asked, he would say (with a twinkle in his eye), “That is one of my constituents.”

John was predeceased by his wife Mildred in 2012, his brother Lennie, and his sister Jeanne Morgan. Surviving are son Kenneth and his wife Cheryl of Hull, Mass.; daughter Stephanie and her wife Monica Fischbach of Gray; sister Elsie Gilmore of Canton, Mass.; goddaughter Kathleen Coyle and her husband Bill Perry of Wakefield, NH; three grandsons and their families; and six great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the devoted staff and countless neighbors and their families who became dear friends at Birchwoods—home to John for so many years. Hospice of Southern Maine provided invaluable support in a wide range of capacities, including a new and important friendship with volunteer, Richard. Finally, the family is grateful for the masterful and sensitive care John and his family received in his final days at the Maine Veterans’ Home.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a time of gathering and visitation on Friday, November 20, from 5–7 PM at Lindquist Funeral Home, One Mayberry Lane, Yarmouth. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, November 21 at 11:00 AM at Sacred Heart Church, 326 Main Street, Yarmouth, Maine. A reception will follow immediately in the church hall. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, 78 Smith Street, Yarmouth at 1:30 PM.

For those who wish, donations can be made in John’s name to Sacred Heart Church, 326 Main Street, Yarmouth, ME 04096; or Hospice of Southern Maine, 180 U.S. Route 1, Scarborough, ME 04074.