Joseph P. DeVito

Joseph P. DeVito, 97, died Monday, February 12, 2024, surrounded by his beloved family. He was the loving husband for over 70 years of Mary “Jeanne” (Murphy) DeVito. Born and raised in Stoughton, Joe was a lifelong town resident and a graduate of Stoughton High School, Class of 1944. After graduation, he joined the US Navy and proudly served in World War II, assigned to a PT boat squadron in the Philippines and the Marshall Islands. He was honorably discharged as a Carpenter’s Mate 3rd Class in June, 1946. Joe returned home to Stoughton and began working in his family’s store, DeVito’s Liquor Store in Stoughton Center. He earned a Bachelors degree in Business Administration from Boston University in 1952. Beginning his career in sales, Joe was employed for years by Colonial Beverage and Phoenix Spring where he enjoyed interacting with his customers. He retired more than 30 years ago, after a successful career as a sales supervisor.

Throughout his life, Joe was involved in civic and Veteran’s organizations. He was a Town Meeting Representative, founder of the Fourth of July Committee and instrumental in starting the annual Veteran’s Day Program in Stoughton.  Along with his wife Jeanne, Joe was an integral member of the Stoughton Historical Society for over 20 years, both as a member of the Board of Directors and then as President from 2003-2006.  Joe was also very involved with the VFW Post 1645 in Stoughton for many years acting as Co-Chair of the Voice of Democracy Oratorical Contest for Stoughton High students. He produced hours of taped interviews with other Stoughton Veterans of WWII, Korea and Vietnam Wars, which led to him receiving the Norfolk County Teachers Association Friend of Education Award and Stoughton’s Outstanding Citizen Award.

In his spare time, Joe loved to travel, read, work in his garden, and was a fine woodworker. He was a good friend and inspiration to many.

Joe will be dearly missed by his wife Jeanne and his children; Joseph P. DeVito, Jr. and his wife Pauline of Watertown, Barbara D. Bourgoine and her husband Bruce of ME, Carol D. Green and her husband Derek of NC, Jane E. DeVito and her husband Daniel Smith of OH and Paul G. DeVito and his wife Kathleen of Grafton. He was the beloved Grandpa of Michael DeVito, Melissa Kane, Lindsay Bourgoine, Cara Harrigan, Audrey Green, Alexa Smith and Lauren DeVito. Joe was the great-grandfather of Ethan Harrigan, Oscar Leoni and Lucy Kane. He was predeceased by his parents Joseph and Anna (DeLuca) DeVito and his sisters, Mary T. Martin and Evelyn N. Callanan. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Funeral will be held from the Farley Funeral Home, 358 Park St. (Rt. 27) Stoughton on Saturday, February 17, 2024 at 9 AM followed by a Funeral Mass at St. James Church, Stoughton at 10 AM. Visiting Hours will be held in the Funeral Home on both Thursday and Friday from 4-7 PM. Interment will take place at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Stoughton. In lieu of flowers, donations in Joe’s memory may be made to Stoughton Historical Society, PO Box 542, Stoughton, MA 02072 or the Old Colony YMCA-Stoughton Camp Christina Program, 445 Central Street, Stoughton, MA 02072.