Irish Jim – James P. Devereux

1944-2022

James (Jim) Peter Devereux of Gloucester, VA passed away on 11 Aug 2022 at 78 years old.  Jim was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1944 to Peter and Mary Devereux, and was the oldest of five children – Anne Cummins (presently of Dublin), Mary Devereux (presently of London, England), Jane Devereux (deceased) and David Devereux (presently of Dublin).  His growing up years were quite humble, with only the necessities due to the economic, political, and societal struggles in Ireland at that time.  However, Jim was a good student and earned the offer to medical school at the University College of Dublin with St. Vincent's Hospital. This was an unlikely and remarkable offer for a young man from such humble beginnings. While at university, Jim was involved in sailing, rugby, and rowing, earning the 1965 Galway Rowing Championship.

Upon completion of medical school, Jim came to the U.S. to start his residency in surgery at Mass General (Boston) – starting with General Surgery and finally settling on Orthopedic Surgery.  Jim lived in various areas of the U.S. while completing his residency training, finally settling in Virginia with a job as an Orthopedic Surgeon at Norfolk General Hospital.  He worked at Norfolk General Hospital for 20 years, then worked in various other fields for 15 years.  Jim demonstrated an ability to adapt to new environments by applying himself in a variety of different capacities after leaving medicine, with his most enjoyable last place of employment as a caretaker of a large estate in Mathews County, Virginia.

Jim was known for his dry, sarcastic humor; love of a good joke; crusty exterior; infamous 'World According to Jim' sayings; his reply of  'nothin' when asked what he was up to on any given day; a kind heart while offering brutally honest advice when warranted; would share his wisdom from experience when asked; shared strength and hope with others; willingness to help anyone; always up for a get together of friends – especially Friday evening poker with the boys that involved plenty of harassing and lies; generous with his limited means, giving you the last shirt he owned if you needed it; fiercely independent, preferring to live life on his terms rather than reliance on others; and a love of classical music and reading.  He had a keen eye for photography, with a collection of water and flower themed photographs that he had taken in years past.  Always up for an adventure, Jim enjoyed traveling and traveled across country by himself six years ago, camping in his vehicle for almost a month. Jim had multiple health challenges the past five years of his life, but handled them with a remarkable attitude with never a complaint, and was gracious to all who cared for him.  Ultimately, he left this world as he desired - with peace, knowing that God is good, and in his own home.

There will be a quiet, simple celebration of Jim's life with a few close friends as Jim desired on 3 Sept 2022 along one of the rivers where he enjoyed spending time.  Donations in memory of Jim's generosity can be made to Food for the Poor at www.foodforthepoor.org , which Jim believed in and supported for a number of years.  He will be sorely missed, but will certainly be remembered and frequently quoted for years to come.