Rev. Thomas F. DeVita

Rev. Thomas F. DeVitta, Age 66 of South Haven, a priest for the Diocese of Kalamazoo, died December 13, 2013 in Kalamazoo. Friends will be received on Monday, December 16, 2013 from 1:00-6:00 PM and 7:00-9:00 PM at St. Mary of the Lake, 718 West Buffalo Street; New Buffalo, MI, where a wake service will be will be held Monday evening at 8:00 PM. Final viewing will take place on Tuesday from 9:00 AM-12:00 Noon at St. Mary of the Lake, where Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:00 Noon. Following the mass, food and fellowship will be shared at the church hall. Burial will be in Sacred Heart of Mary Cemetery, Silver Creek Township.

Fr. DeVita was ordained a priest on March 18, 1978, for the Diocese of Rockville Centre (New York) by Bishop James J. Daly. He served in pastoral ministry at the following parishes in New York: St. Joseph, Kings Park; St. Gertrude, Bayville; St. James, Seaford; St. Aidan, Williston Park. He also served briefly at St. Rita Parish, Wellington, FL, while on leave to attend to ailing family members. Fr. DeVita began his pastoral ministry for the Diocese of Kalamazoo in January, 1999, and was incardinated later that same year. His pastoral assignments in the Diocese of Kalamazoo included parochial administrator and pastor of St. Mary of the Lake, New Buffalo, from 1999-2003.

In September 2003, Fr. DeVita was removed from public ministry. He had spent the last 10 years in prayer and penance, though he was always permitted to celebrate Mass privately as he continued living his life as a priest. Over the course of the last ten years Fr. DeVita faithfully lived out his prayerful responsibilities as a priest and was known for a devoted ministry to praying for those in need.

Fr. DeVita was born on April 8, 1947, to Frank and Jennie (Enciso) DeVita. He attended Valley Stream High School, NY, and graduated from Fordham University and Immaculate Conception Seminary, NY.

He is survived by his sister Jeannette Marie Russo and her husband Ron; and many beloved nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Catholic Relief Services for their work with the poor. Please visit Fr. DeVita’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can archive a favorite memory or photo of him and sign his online guestbook. Arrangements by Life Story Funeral Homes, Betzler & Thompson – Paw Paw (657-3870).