Obituary for J. Martin Devine
J. Martin Devine, Sr., Naval Combat Veteran and Insurance Lawyer
J. Martin Devine, Sr, of Arlington and Falmouth, MA, died peacefully at his home on April 18, 2021 after a brief illness. Born on Valentine’s Day in 1926, he was a graduate of Malden Catholic High School, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Boston College and Boston College Law School.
Martin matriculated to Boston College at age 16 but left for the Academy because of the war. He was first assigned to the merchant marine and later to an aircraft carrier. Those years sparked in him a love of the navy and a zest for travel. Martin returned to Boston College and graduated from the business school in 1950. With jobs scarce, he returned to the navy and was assigned to the minesweeper USS Incredible. Decorated for active combat in Wonsan Harbor, he retired from the reserves with the rank of Lieutenant Commander after 20+ years of service.
Martin used the GI Bill to attend law school, with his mother gently inquiring as to whether he ever planned to work. He ultimately had a career-long specialization in surplus and excess lines at the Commercial Union and Lexington Insurance companies; he was widely known for his pioneering work on directors and officers liability insurance. A former colleague recalled, “The underwriters loved to take their work problems to Marty. He had so much experience, he worked so quickly, and he had that dry Irish wit.” Martin retired, at 75, from Lexington/AIG in 2001.
Martin also served his community well. He was a longtime member of the Arlington Finance Committee and an elected town meeting member. He was a parishioner at St. Agnes Church for nearly sixty years, a former extraordinary minister and a teacher of high school CCD.
A loving family man and husband, he is survived by his wife of 62 years, Helen Nicoli Devine; his daughter Suzanne, son-in-law Robert, and grandsons James Day Payne and Alexander John Karr of New York City; daughter Jennifer and grandson Stuart Martin Camp of Lexington, MA; granddaughter Rachel Mary Camp of Annandale-on-Hudson, NY; son J. Martin Devine, Jr. of Melrose; his younger brother James T. Devine of Melrose; sister-in-law Patricia O’Keefe Devine of Everett; cousin Kathleen Barron of Bearsden, Scotland. He is predeceased by his brother Edward. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, their spouses, his godchildren, the children of his cousins, and the friends of his children. He took a deep interest and special pride in all of them. They, in turn, appreciated his keen intellect, interest in world affairs, sartorial flair and light touch.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, May 28, at 11:30AM in St. Agnes Church, 30 Medford Street, ARLINGTON. Relatives and Friends are kindly invited. Burial and Military Honors will follow in Oak Cemetery, Medford.
J. Martin Devine, Sr, of Arlington and Falmouth, MA, died peacefully at his home on April 18, 2021 after a brief illness. Born on Valentine’s Day in 1926, he was a graduate of Malden Catholic High School, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Boston College and Boston College Law School.
Martin matriculated to Boston College at age 16 but left for the Academy because of the war. He was first assigned to the merchant marine and later to an aircraft carrier. Those years sparked in him a love of the navy and a zest for travel. Martin returned to Boston College and graduated from the business school in 1950. With jobs scarce, he returned to the navy and was assigned to the minesweeper USS Incredible. Decorated for active combat in Wonsan Harbor, he retired from the reserves with the rank of Lieutenant Commander after 20+ years of service.
Martin used the GI Bill to attend law school, with his mother gently inquiring as to whether he ever planned to work. He ultimately had a career-long specialization in surplus and excess lines at the Commercial Union and Lexington Insurance companies; he was widely known for his pioneering work on directors and officers liability insurance. A former colleague recalled, “The underwriters loved to take their work problems to Marty. He had so much experience, he worked so quickly, and he had that dry Irish wit.” Martin retired, at 75, from Lexington/AIG in 2001.
Martin also served his community well. He was a longtime member of the Arlington Finance Committee and an elected town meeting member. He was a parishioner at St. Agnes Church for nearly sixty years, a former extraordinary minister and a teacher of high school CCD.
A loving family man and husband, he is survived by his wife of 62 years, Helen Nicoli Devine; his daughter Suzanne, son-in-law Robert, and grandsons James Day Payne and Alexander John Karr of New York City; daughter Jennifer and grandson Stuart Martin Camp of Lexington, MA; granddaughter Rachel Mary Camp of Annandale-on-Hudson, NY; son J. Martin Devine, Jr. of Melrose; his younger brother James T. Devine of Melrose; sister-in-law Patricia O’Keefe Devine of Everett; cousin Kathleen Barron of Bearsden, Scotland. He is predeceased by his brother Edward. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, their spouses, his godchildren, the children of his cousins, and the friends of his children. He took a deep interest and special pride in all of them. They, in turn, appreciated his keen intellect, interest in world affairs, sartorial flair and light touch.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, May 28, at 11:30AM in St. Agnes Church, 30 Medford Street, ARLINGTON. Relatives and Friends are kindly invited. Burial and Military Honors will follow in Oak Cemetery, Medford.