Sean, Sylvia and Family (Family friends)

Entered September 22, 2017 from Janetville

To Mr. Devakos, may you forever rest in peace. To the family, may you find peace as you mourn such a treasured loved one. May God bless you all. With love, the Sullivan family.

Nina and Angela Di Lorenzo (Friend)

Entered September 22, 2017

Our most heartfelt sympathy and condolences for your loss. Mr. Devakos was a gentleman in the truest sense......courteous, hospitable and genteel. He always greeted you with a smile (oh what a beautiful smile), kind words and a warm embrace.

We will miss him, and are comforted in knowing that his kindness and love live on in his wonderful wife and family.

With much love, Nina and Angela Di Lorenzo

Our Father was a loving and devoted husband to our Mother Maria and an incredible Father to us. He was also an amazing Grandfather who absolutely adored his grandchildren Marie, Austin and Peter. His grandchildren really were the apples of his eyes. He boasted about them all the time to whoever would listen and said he was the luckiest man in the world to have the family God gave him. Little did he know that it was us who were the lucky ones for being blessed to be given this man to love. He taught us to be honest, kind people as he was. He was easy going, patient and polite to everyone. He was respectful to all and respected by all.

Our Father came to Canada in 1955 to make a better life for himself and be with his brothers and sisters. He met his loving wife Maria 60 years ago. They fell in love through letters, never having met in person until our Mother came here to meet him. Crazy that a Father would allow his daughter to travel half way around the world to marry a man she'd never met, but our Grandfather knew exactly what he was doing since he was entrusting his daughter to the most wonderful man in the world. Our parents were each other's everything. They had a beautiful love affair and enjoyed every moment together. They worked very hard to give their family the best life they could, but they also made sure that they had lots of fun and enjoyed life the way God intended for them.

Our Dad started his career with Diana Sweets as a dishwasher. Then moved his way up to a bus boy, then waiter and finally as the General Manager of the entire chain of restaurants. He was honest and hard working and loved what he did. He was happy to give a job to whoever wanted one and he helped so many people start out in Canada after immigrating here. He did anything and everything he could to help you. Always with a beautiful smile and an encouraging word. So many people would tell us stories about how generous, humble and kind our Father was. Our Father also told us stories of how there were times that people less fortunate than ourselves would ask him for money, and he offered them more than just money, by giving them a job and shelter in an apartment the restaurant had downstairs, allowing them to get back on their feet and start a good life for themselves.

Our Father's last 5 years were very difficult ones for him and although he suffered, he continued to brighten the lives of our family and friends with nothing but love, care and that beautiful "it's all going to be ok" smile. He truly was one of the good ones-the best! We choose to remember the good times where there was no pain, and no suffering. We are comforted by knowing that Dad had a one way ticket up on the first class elevator to Heaven with no stops in between as he went back "home".

We all miss you terribly Daddy. Words cannot express the sadness we feel of the greatest loss of our lives. Life will never be the same without you, but we are comforted to know that you are no longer suffering and you're with the Angels, Jesus and God now. The memories you leave us with will be treasured forever. You're "O Devakos" again and we love you with all our hearts.