John Patrick “Jack” Devaney passed away on April 4, 2023.  He was 88 years old.

Jack was born on October 25, 1934 in Brooklyn, New York to Anthony and Bridget Devaney.

Jack was the loving husband of Mary Ann (Roche), and brother to William (Anne), and James (Eileen).  He was predeceased by his sister Eileen (Michael) Castillo and his son John (Celeste).

Loving father to Kevin (Molly), Robert (Hilda) and Anne (Joseph) Busky.  Proud grandfather of Greg, Joshua, Rebecca, Noah, Katie, Jenny, Maggie, Grace, Meghan, Joseph and Brooke, as well as seven great-grandchildren.  Also loving uncle to many nieces and nephews.

Jack served in the Army in Germany during the 1950s. He  graduated from New York University in 1963 with a degree in mechanical engineering and also moved to Massapequa Park that year.  Jack spent most of his career working at Grumman Aerospace, where he worked during the Apollo space program.  He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1970 for his work as part of the Apollo 13 Mission Operations Team.  After he retired from Grumman, Jack spent many years as a docent at the Cradle of Aviation Museum, where he enjoyed sharing stories about the Apollo space program at the Lunar Module exhibit.  Jack also served on the Massapequa School Board, including a term as president, during the 1990s.

Jack enjoyed spending the winters in Florida at the Jensen Beach Club. He was an avid tennis player, playing tennis for many years at John Burns Park.  Jack also enjoyed coaching his children’s teams in Little League baseball and Police Boys’ Club and CYO basketball.

Jack was proud of his Irish heritage, and he enjoyed his trips to Ireland with his brothers where they would visit their parents’ hometown (Bohola, County Mayo) and spend time with their relatives.  Jack was active in the local chapter of Ancient Order of Hibernians, often marched in the St. Patrick’s Day parade, and was an avid Notre Dame football fan.

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