Obituary of Alonzo Deveaux, Glace Bay

It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to Alonzo Deveaux, age 82 of Glace Bay, our precious father, Da, “DaDo”, brother, brother-in-law, uncle and friend.  He was our world.

Da passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 28, 2023 in the Glace Bay Hospital with his loving family by his side.

He was born in Glace Bay, NS on October 28, 1941, the son of Dennis John Deveaux of Cheticamp and Sarah Jane Deveaux (Connolly) of Glace Bay.

Da started his work career at McFadgen’s Bakery at the young age of 16 where he worked for 9 years.  From there he worked at the Nova Scotia Liquor Commission for 27 years until his retirement in 1993 at the age of 52.

Anyone who knew our dad also knew he was an avid card player, whether it be crib, rummy, poker or Texas Hold’em.  He would play cards day or night.  He loved going to the Hawks Club in Dominion, Branch 3 Legion in Glace Bay, and the Army & Navy in New Waterford. He played Texas Hold’em every Saturday in Lingan with some very special friends….and you all know who you are.  In the past number of years, he enjoyed a friendly Sunday game of cards in his garage with his great friends, George Abbott, Dicey White and Lauchie Headley. 

Da was predeceased by many of his card buddies including Ralph Moore, Walter Porter and Patty Burns. Da had so many friends in the card community that it would be impossible to name each individually; they all held a special place in his heart.

He loved to dance and sing, not that he was great at either, but non the less, he enjoyed them.  For many years he enjoyed his annual golf trip to PEI with ‘the boys’ including Naish and Norm.  He wasn’t much of a golfer but went along for the cards and drinks that would follow. He was part of the honorary “Golden Girls” with Freddy Wall and predeceased friends Patty Burns and Alex MacIssac.

In his early years, Da loved to fish with his great friends Charlie “Whiskers” MacKenzie and Allie Penney and oh what fish tales they would tell.  He sure missed them when they passed on.

Left to mourn are his daughters, Bernice Kennedy (Naish), Lynn Deveaux with whom he resided, and son, Lloyd Deveaux (Rose), as well as his sister, Laraine Penney and brother, David Deveaux (Sharon), sisters-in-law, Doris Greene (Eugene), Laura Harpell and Linda MacDonald (Henry), grandchildren, Kristen and Christopher, great grandchildren, Grayson and Ryleigh, many nieces and nephews who always made it known that everyone, yes everyone needed an “Uncle Alonzo” who was their rock in good times and bad. He shared a special bond with Marlane, Nancy and Madison.

Besides his parents, Alonzo was predeceased by his loving wife of 38 years, Sharon Deveaux (MacDonald), sister, Denise MacDonald, sister in law, Betty Gaigner, brother in law, Allie Penney, and his companion of 12 years, Oppie Corbett.

We would be remiss if we did not mention the special bond Da had with his sister in law, Linda who never missed a day checking in on him.  There was nothing she would not do for him; they were as close as father and daughter. Linda’s partner, Henry, was also a big part of Da’s life and made sure he got to his many appointments as his health began to fail.  His other sister-in-law, Doris, would call him at 6:00 pm each evening to check in with him.  Gosh he looked so forward to those calls.  He also had two very special friends in Calgary whom he adored, Mark and Iris Preece and special friends, Harold MacCrae of Indian Harbour and Cathy Corbett of Dominion.  Da also maintained a friendship with his first wife and mother of his girls, Irene Hayes. 

We would like to thank Dr. Precious Uzoh & Dr Kevin MacNeil for their excellent care as well as the wonderful nursing staff on 3 East of the Glace Bay General Hospital.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 2, 2024 from 2 – 4 and 7 – 9 pm, followed by a funeral service and a light lunch on Wednesday, January 3 at 11 am, all in V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 16 Reserve Street, Glace Bay. Fr. Norman MacPhee presiding. Interment in Greenwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Red Cross or charity of one’s choice. On line condolences to the family can be expressed at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca