In Memoriam: Longtime Rumsonite Patrick ‘Paddy’ Devenny, 97

Longtime Rumsonite Patrick “Paddy” Devenny passed away on Friday, May 20. He was 97.

Paddy and his wife, Dorothy, became Rumson residents in the early 1970s. They were active members of Holy Cross Church and, later, Church of the Nativity in Fair Haven. Patrick also sang in the choir at St. George’s-By-The-River Episcopal Church in Rumson. “This came about when he walked in to their rehearsal one day and asked, ‘Do you need any tenors?'” family said in his obituary. ” … he also entertained everyone with his singing via his classic Irish tenor voice.

The two were also members of the Irish Federation of Monmouth County.

Patrick Devenny
Photo/family via John E. Day Funeral Home

“Patrick was a talented man, and thoughtful husband and father. He wrote cards for all occasions, and they always ended with a thoughtful note or poem, and a reminder of his love. Perhaps the only activity he loved as much as his job was going to Monmouth Park race track to play the horses. If he’d had a good day at the track, there might be a dinner out with the family or a few dollars in a greeting card. His other favorite tradition was playing his union number in the lottery each day when buying his
newspapers each morning.
Loved ones of Patrick Devenny in his obituary

Born on April 22, 1925 in Maghery, Dungloe in County Donegal, Ireland, to Annie and Daniel Devenney, Patrick was the second of 11 children.

He left Ireland at the age of 16 and headed to Scotland. He enlisted in the Royal Air Force, and gained notoriety as a boxer while in the service.

In 1948, at the suggestion of his Aunt Dolly, he came to the United States. His first job when he arrived was as a grave digger. He was also a security guard for Chevron, and he learned a trade as a welder in Steamfitters union Local 475. “He was one of the most sought-after x-ray pipeline welders in the local,” his obituary said.

Paddy and his wife also owned Pine Wine Liquors in South Amboy in the mid-1960s.

“In 1987, he and Dorothy built a vacation home in Maghery, at the site of his birthplace, and spent many years traveling to the small village to visit friends and family. Everyone there knew all of their comings and goings, and there were many card games, sing-songs, and visits by family and friends to this warm and inviting home. His last visit was in February 2020, a month before the pandemic started.”

He was predeceased by his wife of 56 years, Dorothy (Egan), in 2014. “They dated doing what they loved to do most: going to the Irish dance halls in and around Newark, NJ. They married on September 20, 1958.”

He was also predeceased by: his parents; his brothers, Cornelius (Connie), and James; and his sisters, Grace, Mary, Nancy, and Kathleen.

He is survived by: his four children, Betsie, Nancy, Daniel, and Patrick (Mirna); his siblings, Donal, Celia Gallagher, Dolly McCole and Rosaleen Ward; sister-in-law, Sheila Devenney; brothers-in-law, Brian Madden, of Peekskill, NY, James McLaughlin, of Avon, NJ), sister-in-law Nancy Tully (Avon, NJ), and Dorothy’s sister-in-law, Patricia McLaughlinHe was predeceased by He will be sadly missed by many nieces, nephews and cousins in Ireland and here in the states.

Family and friends may visit on Tues., May 24, from 3 to 7:30 p.m. at the John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank. A mass of christian burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 25, at 1 p.m. at Church of the Nativity, Fair Haven. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Patrick’s memory to the charity of your choice.