Colin Campbell Devoe
Born In: Sydney Mines
Passed in: Sydney
Passed on: January 28th, 2016
It is with deep sorrow that we, the family, announce the passing of Colin Campbell Devoe, at the age of 69, on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney. Colin died peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, comforted by the music of Roy Orbison.
Born and raised in Sydney Mines, Colin was the son of the late Walter and Elizabeth (Brogan) Devoe. He was known to his friends as 'Hawk'. Growing up he enjoyed playing baseball with his brothers and tormenting his sisters.
Colin attended Teachers College where he started dating Margaret. When he graduated he took his first job as a principal in Boisdale, which he loved. He also taught at St. Johns Junior High. He then went on to teach at Sydney Mines Junior High, after being vice principal at Sydney Mines Junior High, he spent the last years of his teaching career at Notre Dame and Jubilee Elementary Schools.
He encouraged fundraising at all schools with all students wherever he taught, the bigger the reward, the crazier the stunt. He took pies to the face, eggs to the head, waxed his legs, dressed up as a bride, was duct taped to the wall and even spending the night on the roof of the school. He was proud of the fact that some of his fundraising efforts benefitted families in need. At each school, Colin volunteered with numerous school activities such as Winter Carnival, Reach for the Top, Glee Club, Bowling, Coaching, Dances and Student Council. He was very proud to receive the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Silver Medal for Excellence in Teaching in 1977. He was admired and appreciated by both his students and co-workers for all he brought to the classroom.
He was a respected member of the Sydney Mines Community, where he volunteered his time coaching as well as being president of Sydney Mines Little League. For his efforts, he received the Exceptional Volunteer Service Award for the Town of Sydney Mines during the Provincial Volunteer Week in 1995.
His favourite pastimes were fishing, hunting, golfing and camping. Colin spent most of his time in Skye River, Middle River and River Denys. He told numerous stories about his fishing and hunting trips.
He was most proud of his loving family. Colin is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Margaret (Fraser); his children, Lori (Michael) Boutilier, Calgary, Alta., Denise, Medicine Hat, Alta., Adam (Karla), Ottawa, Ont. The light of his life was his granddaughter, Sadie. Gampy especially enjoyed singing, telling jokes and being silly with her. She was his “Baby Girl”.
He is also survived by his brother, Gerard, Port Colburne, Ont.; sisters, Patricia, Natick, MA, Diane (John) Popovich, Cochrane Alta., Michelle (Louis) Ferguson, Sydney Mines, N.S., Lynn, St. Catharines, Ont. and many nieces and nephews. He will also be missed by a special family; Jason, Sharon, Ryan and Julia, who he embraced as his own.
Besides his parents, Colin was predeceased by siblings, Walter, Yvonne, Brian, Blair, Lori, Kevin, Paul and infant, Elizabeth.
Special thanks to Dr. Doug Kohlsmith for his kindness during Colin’s illness. The family would like to express their thanks to the staff of Northside General Hospital and the Palliative Care unit at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital.
Cremation has taken place. Visitation for Colin Devoe will be held Monday, Feb. 1, 2016, from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. in J. M. Jobes Funeral Home, 635 Main St., Sydney Mines. A celebration of his life will take place Tuesday, at 10 a.m. in Holy Family Church, Sydney Mines, with Fr. James Oliver officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Colin’s memory may be made to the Northside/Harbourview Hospital Foundation.
Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family at www.jmjobesfuneralhome.com.
