Obituary of Philip Joseph DeVita

Philip J. DeVita, 90, of 28 Peterson St. passed away peacefully at 5:00 a.m. Friday (January 22, 2010) in his home. A lifelong area resident he was born September 29, 1919 in Jamestown, NY a son of the late Guiseppe and Caterina Pappalardo DeVita. He was a 1939 graduate of Jamestown High School and attended N.Y.A. Center in Auburn, NY where he learned the welding trade. He then moved to Maryland to work in the ship yards. He entered the U.S. Army on July 27, 1944 and served in the Philippine Islands. He was honorably discharged on January 20, 1946 and returned to Jamestown where he worked as a foreman for the Cris Craft Corporation. Before his retirement was a self employed painting contractor in the Jamestown area for over 70 years. He loved his job and continued to work until he was well into his 80's. He was an active member of the Christ First United Methodist Church where he volunteered with the food cupboard ministry. He served as the financial secretary for the Local 498 Painters and Decorators Union, District Council Number 4 of Buffalo New York for fifty years. He served as Exalted Ruler of the Jamestown Elks Lodge # 263, was an honorary member of the Jamestown Moose Lodge# 1681 and was a member of the Lakewood Rod & Gun Club, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. He also played the saxophone in the Jamestown Municipal Band and was a member of the Musicians Union # 134. He will be remembered as a loving and caring father and grandfather who loved to collect records, cd's, and videos. He loved spending time with his family especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Surviving are two daughters Sandra K. (Jim) Gilebarto, Judith L. (Sam) Amatuzzo both of Jamestown, a son Richard B. (Connie) DeVita of Alden, NY, six grandchildren Jody K. (Bruce) Stover of Bel Aire, MD, Philip J. (Lisa) Gilebarto of Batavia, NY, Kate Q. Amatuzzo of Erie, PA, Pamela J. Zawistowski of Buffalo, Lisa (Chip) Willis of Darien Center, NY, Marie DeVita of Rochester, 12 great grandchildren, two sisters Angeline Cowan of CA, Catherine Taylor of Williamsville, NY and a brother Richard (Trish) Perry of Falconer. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his wife the former Margaret I. McGee DeVita whom he married November 14, 1942 and who died May 11, 2008, a sister Josephine Bondi and a grandson William Paul Amatuzzo. The funeral will be held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday in the Christ First United Methodist Church. The Rev. Douglas M. Knopp, pastor will officiate. Inurnment will be in the Christ First United Methodist Church Columbarium. Friends will be received from 5-8 p.m. today in the Lind Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Christ First United Methodist Church or to Hospice Chautauqua County, 20 West Fairmount Ave. Lakewood, NY 14750.