Walter Devine Obituary

Walter B. Devine, 95, of Escondido, California passed away on March 27th 2023 in Pacific Beach, California. He was born on July 7th 1927 to John and Ethel Devine in Detroit, Michigan. He was the youngest of three children which included his brother John and sister Jean. Walter graduated from Kings Point in 1949 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Transportation, a Third Mate's License, and an Ensign's Commission in the U. S. Navy Reserve. He served in the Merchant Marine during World War II and has a plaque commemorating his service at the Mount Soledad National Veterans Memorial. In his service, he sailed around the world multiple times with many great adventures abroad. He then attended the University of Michigan and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering in 1953. He settled initially in Baltimore, Maryland where his met his wife, Annemarie. They were married on December 29th 1956 and had seven children. After Annemarie's passing, Walter married Marion Wylie of Rancho Bernardo on August 28th 2004. His career included positions at American President Lines, Maryland Shipbuilding and Drydock, Humble Oil, and Exxon. Better known accomplishments of his career included design, construction oversight, and mission support for the S. S. Manhattan (the first commercial oil tanker to sail through the Northwest Passage) as well as the M/V Exxon Santa Ynez processing ship for the primary treatment of oil from Exxon's drilling operations off of Santa Barbara. His career took him and his family from Baltimore, Maryland to Houston, Texas, to Westlake Village, California; and finally to Escondido, California. Walter's primary hobby was sailing and he successfully entered races in both Ventura and San Diego. He also enjoyed camping and model railroading. He continued his travels abroad with his family to Europe, the Middle East, Japan, and China; as well as around the United States. Walter was a member of San Rafael Parish in Rancho Bernardo and regularly sang in their Resurrection Choir. He raised his children in the Catholic faith - ensuring they all attended church on Sunday before heading out on the weekly family outing. Walter is survived by his seven children (Walter, Michael, Peter, David, Louise, Jessica, and Andrew); fourteen grandchildren (Sarah, Megan, Aaron, Victoria, Joseph, Jacob, Allison, Lauren, Killian, Tyler, Nicholas, Stephen, Drew, and Naomi); and one great grandchild (Lily). He is preceded in death by his sister Jean and brother John and his wives Annemarie and Marion.