Nicholas Devine, age 86, passed away after a short battle with cancer. Nick had an amazing zest for life. He was always ready for the next adventure and approached each day with a smile and a can-do attitude. He was the youngest of eight children and is survived by his sister, Julienne Byerlein (age 95). His father, James, immigrated from Ireland and worked for Ford Motor Company as a Tool and Die Machinist. His mother Isabel, of French and Irish decent, was an avid volunteer and lived to be 103.

Nick grew up on Hanover Street in Detroit and attended St Agnes High School. The family moved to Arizona for a year during this period as a means to help with his father's breathing difficulties. Nick would often retell stories of this special time – taking care of his burro Black Widow, making cactus lamps and prospecting for gold.

Upon high school graduation, Nick enrolled at the University of Detroit. To put himself through school he worked many jobs. He was a hod carrier, a bank teller, an excavator along the Detroit River, a line worker at "Fords", a temporary office worker and anything else he could convince a prospective employer he was able to do.

Nick went on to earn a BA and MA in International Trade from U of D. He met his wife, Jean Katherine (Kay) Ekengren there and they married in 1959. Nick spent his career at the US Customs Service with assignments in Sault Ste. Marie, Muskegon and Detroit, MI as well as Chicago, IL and Washington DC. Nick thoroughly enjoyed his work and all of his kids vividly remember his animated tales of his days at Customs. Nick loved to tell stories!

Nick and Kay had four children; Dan, Laura, Paul and Charles. Each of them has wonderful childhood memories – family vacations to Florida and out east, an annual trip to Cedar Point, where Nick would run like a kid to get back in line for the next roller coaster, trips up north where fishing and playing cards were always present. Yes, so many good memories – pinewood derby cars, celebrating A's on report cards, family Christmas parties, and asking for advice on how to resolve a problem or prevent one.

All of Nick's children married and Nick loved each spouse - Denise, Mark, Vicki, and Krista - like his own kids. He was an active and proud grandfather of Megan, Kyle, Ryan, Colin, and Jean. Nick adored his family and enjoyed cheering on his grandkids in whatever activity they were engaged.

Kay passed away in 1984 after a long and difficult battle with cancer. Nick married Judy Soroka in 1994. Together they spent the next 24 years sharing new adventures and making more memories. Nick became like a father to Judy's children and their spouses, Kim (Mary Jane), Kenny (Jaime) and Tony. He was proud Papa to Lindsay, Austin, Ashley, Devin and Avery. Nick was their biggest fan! A whole new generation was able to enjoy his zest for life and some even won a card game or two!

Nick had an unquenchable curiosity and continued to take college classes in his retirement, studying everything from Shakespeare to world religions. He enjoyed reading, playing cards, and traveling. Nick celebrated his 80th birthday with a trip to China where he walked the Great Wall and charmed his hosts. He explored Cuba at 85 and his most recent adventure was zip lining and indoor sky diving in North Carolina. Nick treasured his life-long friendships and was always eager to build new ones. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and volunteered for many years at St. Leo's Soup Kitchen.

Nick was a lover of life and was the cure for what any gathering needed – be it a touch of class or a shot and a beer. All that met him will remember his warmth, generosity, smile, and sense of humor.

A funeral mass will take place on Tuesday, November 13 at 11 am (in-state at 10:30 am) at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Farmington, MI.

Visitation will be Monday, November 12th, 2-8 pm at Thayer-Rock Funeral Home in Farmington, MI. Memories to be shared at 6:30 followed by Rosary at 7 pm.

Tuesday burial at Parkview Memorial Cemetery, Livonia.

Memorials suggested to Little Sisters of the Poor, 930 S. Wynn Road, Oregon, OH 43616.