101-year-old Bernard McDevitt was a proud adopted Mancunian whose heart never left Donegal

The funeral took place on Wednesday at the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Frosses of Bernard A McDevitt, J.P. Manchester, England and formerly of Frosses, in his 102nd year. 

Deceased was the eldest surviving son of the late William and Margaret McDevitt, Mill House, Mountcharles.

A retired Area Nurse (personnel) and retired Manchester City magistrate, Bernard passed away peacefully at St Joseph's Care Home, Longsight, Manchester, on Sunday November 12, aged 101 years.

And thanks to an old friend Ray McGough, right up to his passing, he was always delighted to receive his weekly edition of Donegal Democrat, which was posted to him regularly.

Bernard was the youngest of a family of 14 born in Frosses and was the last surviving member of that family. 

He began his professional career as a nurse before he progressed to a senior position in the NHS as the Chief Executive Officer of Rochdale area Health Authority.

For many years he also sat on the bench as a Magistrate in Manchester crown courts.

(Above: The late Bernard McDevitt with a blessing from Pope Francis on the occasion of his 100th birhday in 2022)

A true and proud Irishman, the Frosses centenarian and adopted Mancunian was also the recipient of the Benemerenti medal from the Pope for his services to the church.

He also served as a member of the Gaelic League and was known for his ability to cast an occasional nod for his love of all things Irish music, with renditions of his favourite Donegal ballads.

His 100th birthday celebration had taken place in August 2022 in St Joseph’s Little Sisters of the Poor in Manchester, with the sisters holding a ‘hooley’ with a very Irish flavour of song, dance and music, in his honour.

Highlight of the evening was Bernard reading a personal letter from the President of Ireland Michael D Higgins to mark his then landmark birthday.

One of the many tributes paid to late Bernard, on his recent passing, was from Fr. Raymond Sweeney from Ballinasloe in Galway, who had met deceased on many occasions when he visited relations in Dublin, who said: 

“He may have worked in the UK but in his heart he never left Ireland,” he said. 

Ray McGough, the former Deputy Principal of Magh Ene College in Bundoran recalled and echoed the same sentiments:

“ A kind caring gentleman is how I always found him; a very clever man who left Ireland in poorer days than today and in his gentle humble manner achieved the highest rank in the medical profession. He was area manager of Rochdale area Health Authority and served as a magistrate in Manchester Crown court.”

(Above: The late Bernard McDevitt) 

He recalled how Bernard helped many young Irish people gain employment in the hospitals around Manchester and encouraged many to train as nurses, with many later reaching the highest positions within their profession,

He recalled how he had met Bernard 50 years ago as he searched for work after graduating from College and how he was most generous in giving help to his family. 

“My family to this day respects all you did at the time”.

After the Funeral Mass, the deceased was interred at Cranny Road cemetery.