Jack Devitt, formerly Ballyconnell

It is with regret that we note the death of Jack Devitt, Brooklyn, New York - the son of Ellen Devitt (nee Finlay) from Ballyconnell and grandson of Mary Finlay who lived near the top of Snugbrough Hill. He passed away on October 1 aged 91. Jack's mother, Ellen, left Ballyconnell when she was 19 years old on her own to start a new life in America. In New York, she meets Charles Devitt, a Scot from Springburn, Glasgow, and they were married in St. Joseph's Church, Brooklyn, in December 1912. Ellen had her first son James Charles in November 1915 but he died of TB in February 1917. Later that same year, Ellen's husband also died of TB and then on November 30, 1917, Jack Devitt was born. Ellen struggled for the first few years and on becoming ill herself, she returned with Jack who was seven at the time to her mother Mary in Ballyconnell. Shortly after returning to Ballyconnell, Ellen died leaving Jack with his grandmother Mary. Jack stayed with his grandmother Mary (who was almost blind) for a few years walking her down Snugbrough to Henderson's farm every day where she did the washing to earn money before going on to school and on the way back he would call into Henderson's to meet his grandmother to walk back up to the cottage, but before he would go he would always be given a cup of sweet milk and a fresh piece of oat cake by Mrs. Henderson. When Jack was about 12, he and his grandmother moved into a thatched cottage next to the Tan yard, on the invitation of Captain Laing. By this time, Mary was totally blind. Shortly afterwards, Mary died and Jack's aunt Sarah and her husband Tommy took him in. Jack, who by now was a young teenager and had left school, secured a full-time job in Ennis's mill with his uncle Tommy. The two of them drove around the country delivering feed from the mill to other outlets. At this time of course the country was in uprising and there were many tales of scrapes with the Black and Tans, and the usual smuggling. Jack played his part like lots of others. Then the Second World War started and by now Jack had met a girl called Jean Savage who was from Bangor, Co. Down. Jean's family were from Killeshandra and they stopped over in Ballyconnell every year when they came down to visit. Jack and Jean tried to make a go of it in Ballyconnell but times were very hard so eventually they moved back to Bangor where Jack worked on the railways until he retired at 65. Jack and Jean had a family of eight. Every year Jack and his family would return to Ballyconnell to aunt Sarah's for a holiday. Jack Finnegan and Paddy Donohue were among Jack's old friends. They had all played for First Ulster GAA many times and shared many a boyhood adventure. Jack also kept in touch with his many first cousins; the Rodgers and always looked forward to the August Ballyconnell fair. Jack always considered Ballyconnell his home and the many happy times he had growing up and his stories became family folklore. He also never forgot the wonderful kindness shown to him and his grandmother, by the Hendersons and Captain Laing. Jack was very honoured last year when the Old Ballyconnell School Reunion committee asked him to be part of their celebrations in planting a tree at the church. A memorial mass will be said for Jack at 9am on Sunday, November 29, and most of his family will be in attendance.