John Devito

John E. DeVito, 63, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, March 4, after a brief experience with cancer. His partner, Irene, and his family including beloved dogs were at his side. John left this world with the same intensity and joy as he lived his life. He will be dearly missed.

John came to Santa Fe, New Mexico from California in 1971 and over the years became a successful builder and realtor. John was a founding partner in his real estate career with Santa Fe Properties. Throughout his career, John received numerous awards of recognition for his work. Those who knew and worked with him appreciated and honored his uncompromising integrity and determination as he worked to accomplish the goals of his clients.
With a deep love of nature and an adventurous spirit, John spent many winters in the 70s and 80s, on the coast of Mexico and Belize, courageously free diving for lobster and scallop, as well as deep sea fishing. He was an expert fly fisherman, casting in numerous rivers of New Mexico and Colorado. John was also an avid bird hunter, often accompanied by his dogs, Cody and Buckley. With Johns consistent training, Buckley attained the national title of Master Hunter.

In his last years, when he considered himself as semi-retired, he found joy in cooking for family and friends, landscaping his own yard, developing a beautiful vegetable garden, and evening walks with his partner, family, and dogs. John unconditionally continued to help family and friends with their life challenges up to the time of his passing.

The culmination of Johns love to protect and develop land, manifested in his joy of creating a refuge for all wildlife on his property in Truchas, NM, a place he cherished. Dearest to John, was taking care of those he loved. We will miss his unique voice, good humor, and laughter.

John is survived by his sons Nick and Daniel, his grandchildren Tabatha, Justin and Matthew, his twin sister and husband, Joanne and Tom Young of California, his brother and wife, Don and Margie DeVito of Santa Fe, his nieces and their husbands, Jennifer and Damon Harris, Mindy and Boone White, Hillary and Bryan Conant, their children of California, a nephew, Chris Young, and his partner, Irene Swain. He will be deeply missed by them, as well as numerous extended family and friends. John was preceded in death by his parents, Evelyn and John DeVito, and sister, Lynn Bell of California.

On behalf of my family, I would like to invite you to a Celebration in Memory of John DeVito on Saturday, April 27, at 1pm. We will gather at the Luna Rosa Equestrian facility which has graciously been made available to us by Wally and Louanne Sargent (details and directions below).

Please dress casually and wear comfortable shoes, as the celebration will be inside of the horse arena followed by a light lunch. In order to help us plan, We would appreciate an RSVP to this email with your name and number of guests.

Date: Saturday, April 27
Time: 1:00pm
Location: Luna Rosa Equestrian, 47 Ranch Road, Lamy, New Mexico
Directions: I 25 North to Highway 285 toward Lamy/Clines Corners. Look for Ranch Road on the Left hand side of the Highway.

RSVP: [email protected]