Patrick Devlin (93) of San Francisco, CA passed away recently after a long battle with Alzheimer's.
Paddy was born in Dungannon, Co. Tyrone in 1931. He played Gaelic football with the Dungannon Thomas Clarkes, and was part of the Tyrone Senior Championship team winning the O'Neill Cup in 1956. He was a member of the Eoghan Ruadh Hurling Club and beyond proud of the strong Devlin football and hurling lineage that remains in Tyrone.
Many Devlin great-nephews represent Tyrone at the Senior levels of Football and Hurling. Even as Paddy became sick these past few years, he was always proud of them.
In his early life in Dungannon, Paddy was a railway worker. During that time, he also took the pledge of the Pioneer Society to advocate the ideals and values of temperance and sobriety.
He dedicated a significant part of his life to the cause of Irish freedom. In 1957, Paddy was interned in the D Wing of Crumlin Road Goal, and served for four years without trial.
He immigrated to San Francisco in 1962 to his dad's brother, 'Unc' Alphonsus Devlin, business agent and member of Laborer's Union 261, who passed away in 1974. In Unc's footsteps, Paddy joined Local 22 as a union carpenter from July 1963 until he retired in 1995.
Paddy lived on 42nd Avenue in St Gabriel's Parish for almost 50 years. The house always had visitors from Ireland, an open door to family and friends. Paddy was very proud to be Irish. He had a love for the Irish culture, in particular the Irish language and music, and played the mandolin and the banjo.
Paddy was a member of the San Francisco Ulster Gaelic Club. Through the club sport and PAC activities over the years, he met many young players from Tyrone and other parts of Ulster.
Paddy loved his neighborhood, going around the corner to Mass at St. Gabriel's or walking his dogs, chatting and talking with friends he would meet along the way.
Paddy started getting treatment for Alzheimer's about 15 years ago. He lived at home and then with his family for as long as possible. In 2018, he moved to Memory Care at Sagebrook, where he received the 24-hour care he needed as his illness progressed.
A Rosary and Funeral Mass was held at St. Gabriel's Church on Tuesday, June 25 for the repose of his soul.
Paddy is survived by his wife Nancy, his children Anne, Brian, Maura, and Liam, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren as well as by his sister Anne in Ireland.
A Mhuire na nGael guigh ar a anam usal.
