 |
Guest Book for
|
Page 1 of 4 |
| |
| |
| |
January 19,
2007 |
 |
Recently my husband
brought down an old box from the attic. Much to the
delight of our three little girls it contained some of
my writing assignments from Mr. Devine's 10th grade
english class (circa 1980-81). The girls were facinated
to see samples of Mommy's school work complete with
letter grades (of course I saved only the ones which
recieved A's and B's). Sharing the papers with my
preschooler, 2nd grader, and 4th grader was a great trip
down memory lane for me and a great laugh for them. We
talked all about writing and the nice man who taught me
to be a writer. Mr. Devine was such a funny guy and a
wonderful teacher. He had the rare combination of
qualities so many educators lack: a quick wit and the
ability to relate so well to kids. His keen sense of
humor always kept me guessing. I never knew what he was
going to say next, whether I saw him in class or in the
hallway at school. I ran into him at a restaurant
several years back and he told me he'd been published.
He was positivley beaming; he was so proud! I am proud
too. Proud to have been his student and proud to have
known him.
~Erika Schulz
West Seattle
H.S.
Class of 1982 |
| |
Erika Hanger
(Renton, WA )
Contact
me |
| |
January 19,
2007 |
|
To the Devine Family,
I was sad to hear the news about Mr. Devine's
passing. It is so nice to read the many "West
Seattleites" comments - it brings back great memories. I
had the opportunity to play basketball for Mr. Devine
& Vitalich! Also, remembering fondly - mythology
class! I always think of Mr. Devine and greek
mythology... What a great man who left such a positive
impact on so many young people at WSHS ! May your fond
memories ease your pain. Take care, Gloriana |
| |
Gloriana Morine
(Harry) (Normandy Park, WA )
Contact
me |
| |
January 19,
2007 |
|
Dear Devine
family,
Joe was a fun, witty, silly, smart, wonderful
man. Joe was unique. Joe was a gentleman. We shall miss
him terribly.
Love,
Karen and Steve Eckhart |
| |
Karen Eckhart
(Seattle, WA )
Contact
me |
| |
January 19,
2007 |
|
Few in this world have
the ability to touch lives like the “Devine One”. That
is what he like to call himself, an unassuming gentle
man, he had the heart of a lion and the confidence of
Kings. Mr. Devine, like so many others was my Language
Arts Teacher at West Seattle High. I was blessed and
honored to be his student, friend and Teachers Assistant
(TA) for a brief time in 1984. My first day as his TA he
told me to look in his desk drawer; in it were 2 nitro
pills. He told me “if you ever see me on the floor shove
on of these under my tongue and call 911, I have too
much to live for”. For just a moment I was afforded the
opportunity to see the frail vulnerable side of Mr.
Devine. With his occasional wink and mischievous smile
you always new he was on your side. You were not a
student; you were a friend, the greatest gift any
teacher could offer. Some teachers teach, Mr. Devine
went far beyond such basic expectations. His teaching
molded and created individuals that understood and
shared his passion for life and friends. I will always
remember that gentle man with the cardigan sweater
walking with his head high and always with purpose. To
use a basketball analigy I think Mr. Devine would have
liked, “In this life the Devine One got his triple
double”. There is a time to every purpose under Heaven,
for Mr. Devine that was to make a difference in each
life he touched but if only for a brief moment in time.
Mr. Devine, in his own gentle way, allowed you that
brief moment to pause and embrace the wonderment of this
life. Similar to the comma he loved so very
much.
Rest well my friend, God speed.
Roger Freeman |
| |
Roger Freeman
(Seattle, WA )
Contact
me |
| |
January 19,
2007 |
|
Dear Devine
Family,
Growing up on "The Hill", and because of Mr.
Devine's friendship with my father, I've known Mr. and
Mrs. Devine my whole life. For as long as I can remember
they would stop by my family's house every Christmas.
For the last 10, maybe 12, or so years, Mr. Devine would
always join my brother and I in watching whatever game
was on, ask what we were drinking, open a beer, and
precede to tell stories of his 20's, in the 40's/50's,
with my dad. Mr. Devine was a cool guy for me to talk
with, not only because he was smart and funny, or a big
sports fan, or because of the 48 year age difference,
which helps with world perpective, but probably because
he knew my dad as well as he did. I'll never forget the
eulogy he wrote for my father. Mr. Devine was one of the
good guys and a great friend. My family is better for
having known him. For my mother, my brother and myself,
our thoughts and prayers are with you all. |
| |
M.J. O'Brien
(Seattle, WA )
Contact
me |
| |
January 19,
2007 |
|
"Brevity and clarity."
Those words I try to live by, and too often wonder what
he would say if he heard me rambling on. And on. To this
day, time spent with Jumpin' Joe Devine is
cherished.
Well, if that was the only thing he ever
taught me, it would be more than enough. But, lucky for
us, there was much, much more. A great man of character.
And integrity. Mr. Devine. What an honor to have been
with by you.
To all of the Devine World, family
especially, may the joy and strength he gave freely to
us all bring warmth, joy and strength to
you.
Class of 1982 |
| |
Eric McDonald
(Queen Anne, WA )
Contact
me |
| |
January 18,
2007 |
|
To the Devine Family-my
thoughts and prayers go out to you at this time of
sadness. "Mr. Devine" was my teacher and basketball
coach at WSHS too. He was one of my favorite teachers
ever, and his classes were always so much fun and
enjoyable. Such a silly and funny man! I learned how to
be Ms. Spellcheck from him. Know that he was a very
popular and loved man, and you were blessed to have him
in your family. He will be missed greatly. |
| |
Judy Harris
(formerly Schaefer) (Seattle, WA )
Contact
me |
| |
January 18,
2007 |
|
What a sweet wonderful
man. He often made my day with his varied and quick
quips. Whether how to roast prime rib or "process" a
captured crab, Joe had the proper instruction and always
with a twist of humor. "Properly maintained, a crab trap
will last 20 or more years"! Joe's sure did!
I hope
to honor him by sharing his pleasant greeting and always
having a nice thing to say about another human being. He
will be remembered always. "Hey, aren't we 'bout ready
for an invite to Hood Canal again"?
Joe responds,"why
no! we're at Zed and Zelda Zimmerman now...you've got a
long wait yet"!
Bye for now old friend. |
| |
Mike Cochran
(Seattle)
Contact
me |
| |
January 18,
2007 |
|
I can honestly say that
Mr. Devine, one of my favorite teachers at WSH, made a
lasting and favorable difference the way I view
education and respect for others... the best thing he
did was kick me out of class and teach me what honor
really is! Thank you Joe Devine!
My deepest
condolences pour out to his family, loved ones, and all
those whose life he touched.
Joe, you are a man
of great honor who will forever be remembered in great
fondness. |
| |
Lori Montgomery
(Bonney Lake, WA ) |
| |
January 18,
2007 |
|
I wish to extend my
condolences to Mr. Devine's family. I have very fond
memories of "Joe Cool" from my years at West Side. His
presence among us will be missed, but he will always be
remembered.
Lori (Estep) Willson
WSHS, Class
of 1985 |
| |
Lori Willson
(West Seattle, WA )
Contact
me | |
 |
Page: (1) ·
2
·
3
·
4
|
Entries are free and are posted
after being reviewed for appropriate content. | |
 |
|
.gif){kind=small}
.gif){kind=small}
.gif){kind=small}
.gif){kind=small}
