Raymond J. Devine

MADISON- Raymond ""Ray"" Devine, age 88, died Saturday, August 29 of melanoma cancer.

He was born July 29, 1921 on a farm homestead north of Portage, and grew up during the Great Depression. At great sacrifice his parents transported him and his two older brothers, first to St. Mary's Parochial School in Portage, and then to Portage High School, from which he graduated in 1940.

He dreamed of, and was determined to get a college education, and though no one in his family had been to college, nor could they afford to send him, he earned approximately $100 and enrolled in the University of Wisconsin in the fall of 1940. It was indeed a challenge for him to fully support himself and maintain acceptable college grades.

Then came WWII. He enlisted in the army in 1942, and spent 3 1/2 years in the military. He then returned to the UW and, thanks to the GI Bill of Rights, received a degree from the UW School of Business. That education, and the support of his wife Eunice, made possible a successful and rewarding business career in insurance and risk management consulting. He established his own insurance agency, the highlight of which was when he negotiated the first ever reinsurance contract policy on the State of Wisconsin.

That career enabled his family to travel first throughout the state, then nationally, and eventually overseas. Eunice believed travel was one of the best forms of education.

Always remembering his humble beginnings, throughout his life Ray gave generously of his time and money to many civic organizations and charities, including the United Way, Serra, SCORE, St. Vincent de Paul, Edgewood High School, and higher education.

Everyone who knew Ray found him to be warm, generous and kind, especially his family, upon whom he has had a lasting and indelible impact.

He is survived by four sons, four daughters-in-law, four grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and one sister. They include: son, Bill (Ginny) Devine and their three married children: Dawn (Jamie) O'Brien, and their two sons Carter and Keegan, Katie (Joel) Ferkovich and their two children Calli and Carson and Tim (Laura) Devine and son, Benjamin; son, Timothy (Elizabeth) Devine and their son Daniel; son, David Devine and spouse Susie Morris; son, Kevin (Betsy) Devine; and sister Ann Detert.

He was preceded in death by his wife Eunice Devine of 57 years, his parents, two brothers and a number of cousins, nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 PM on Thursday, September 3, 2009, at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison, with a prayer service at 6:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 AM on Friday, September 4, 2009, at OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 401 S. Owen Drive, Madison, with a visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Entombment will be at Resurrection Cemetery.

The family would like to thank Attic Angels Place, the doctors and staff at UW Hospitals and Clinics, and HospiceCare. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to Attic Angels Place or the Queen of Peace School Fund.