Charles Edward Devonport (1917 - 2002)

Ancestors

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Biography

On 25 November 1917 Charles Edward Devonport was born to Mary Anne and John Francis Devonport. ^[1]

Father Charles was a Catholic priest who taught at St Bede's College, Christchurch.

On 14 October 2002 Charles Edward Devonport passed away aged 84, having been born on 25 November 1917^[2]

Frank Devonport reflections about his brother:

Charles (Chas) Edward Devonport 25-11 1917 – 14-10-02

He was born at Nurse Clark’s house in Sydenham, 25/11/1917. The family lived in Irwell or Ellesmere at the time. He was baptized at the Cathedral 2 December 1917 on the way home from the nursing house. The family then moved briefly to Lincoln and Hornby. Later he attended Elmwood primary school until 1926 when he transferred to St Mary’s parish primary school.

Chas was at St Bedes 1931-35. He was a Prefect and was halfback in the First XV in 1935. He and Pauline’s brother (Phon) vied for the position of halfback ( Vin played on the wing in the same team). Chas later returned to the staff of St Bedes after his ordination in 1942.

I think that he broke his arm or wrist playing soccer for Shamrock(?) while in his early days at St Bedes though it may have been before he started at St Bedes. In August(?) 1931 he contracted diphtheria. In those days it was a dangerous and highly contagious disease. The local health people to check that we all had the disease swabbed every member of the family (nose and throat). We were all bundled off to Burwood Hospital which was the hospital for contagious diseases (diphtheria and scarlet fever). Dad lost his job as (I think) a gardener at Sir George Humphreys whose place was on the left hand side of Fendalton Rd (going towards Clyde Rd and just over the railway line). Our whole house at 52 Fendalton Rd was sealed and fumigated. As it turned out neither Dad nor I had diphtheria. Dad was discharged after two weeks but I had to remain in the hospital for a further 5 or 6 weeks until Vin was discharged (I was only 8 and Dad had to be out looking for work – it was the time of the Depression). Probably Mum and Molly were discharged soon after – I think that Chas was the last to be discharged. Jack was not caught up in the disease as he had shifted to Greymouth. I can remember his coming to visit us once or twice in the hospital – patients and visitors were separated by two barbed wire fences about 10(?) yards apart – visitors could throw items to us but we were not allowed to pass anything to the visitors – conversations were a mild shout.

Chas and Vin biked to St Bedes through Elmwood Park from 52 Fendalton Rd.

Chas was in the 6th Form (now called 7th or year 13) in 1935. I think that there was little teaching to him and he helped Father Maurice Dowling edit the school magazine. He and Peter Wall, Matthew (Scotty) Durning and Stephen Stapleton were marking time prior to entering the seminary in 1936. As an aside, three other boys who were in class with them from 1931-34 entered the Mosgiel seminary in 1934 – it was a shorter course than for the Marists – they were John Keane, Cyril Brosnahan and Bill O’Mahoney – all from the Addington parish primary school.

Chas entered the seminary at Greenmeadows in 1936 and was ordained by Bishop Brodie in the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Christchurch on 13-12-1942. He and Peter Wall were ordained at the same time – Scotty Durning was ordained in Timaru a week later. It was a 7 year course at Greenmeadows. Chas was professed as a Marist on 13-02-1938 – he had a novitiate year at Highden in 1937. He was allowed home once only (I think) during his seminary days – probably for two weeks – it was at the time of a centennial exhibition in Wellington (1940?).

He said his first Mass in the St Mary’s Convent chapel on the Monday, the day after his ordination. Jack and May and the whole family attended. My recollection is that Molly was allowed to attend his ordination but not the celebration at home following the ceremony. We had shifted from 52 Fendalton Rd in 1935. We rented a place in Salisbury St for a week or two, and then rented 77 Fitzgerald St (now Geraldine St) until probably 1941 when Mum and Dad bought a house at 117 Champion St (was Bealey St). The breakfast(?) for Chas’ ordination was held in the house at Champion St which had a large lounge. There is a photograph of those present which was taken at the rear of the house.

He completed a B.A. in geography at Canterbury University in 1948(?) and M.A. in 1951 while stationed at St Bedes.

After his ordination and while stationed at St Bedes he frequently went on (bike?) trips with the Catholic Tramping Club as the Chaplain. From the mid 1960’s to the early 1990’s he holidayed with us at Tahunanui and Kaiteriteri.

His appointments following his ordination were: 1943 January to July St Patrick’s College, Silverstream 1943-1958 St Bede’s College, Christchurch 1959-1962 St Patrick’s High School, Timaru 1963-1971 St John’s College, Hastings, Rector 1972-1978 St Patrick’s College, Wellington 1979-1996 Cerdon, Wellington, Secretary to the Provincial of the Marist Fathers 1997-July 2002 Marist Centre, Wellington, retired 12 July 9 Oct 2002 Nazareth House, Christchurch

He celebrated the Nuptial Mass at Pauline’s and my wedding in 1950. He baptised all our children and grandchildren with the exception of Tim Holmberg.

Charlie and Fr Spillane went to Europe. They were the first Marist priests to be given sabbatical leave from New Zealand.

He was diagnosed with glaucoma probably in the late 1980’s and strained his back first in the mid to late 1950’s.

On 22-2-96 he had surgery for a strangulated hernia at Wellington Hospital. A week later he was moved to the Home of Compassion at Island Bay – where he had a short conversation with Mother Teresa of Calcutta who was visiting N.Z. at that time. Actually, Mother Teresa waited for him after he had celebrated Mass so that she could speak with him. She waited while he finished his usual cigarette.

In December 2001 and April 2002 he had prostate surgery in Wellington Hospital. While there he fell, broke his hip and injured his head. He was admitted to Nazareth House in Christchurch on 12-7-02. He had a heart attack on 9-10-02 and died in the Christhurch Public Hospital on 14-10-02. Requiem Mass was celebrated at St Mary’s, Manchester St on 17-10-02. He was buried in the Waimairi cemetery in Grahams Rd.

He was an inveterate cigarette smoker to the end. Throughout his life he loved growing orchids and took much pleasure in them.

After our mother died in 1962 he treated our home as his home. Holidayed with us each year usually in Nelson/Kaitereteri. He was stationed at St Bedes for many of the years that we were in Jeffreys Rd. He called in there for supper on Sunday nights. Together we completed the crossword being run by the N.Z.Tablet each week. We usually won and from some of the proceeds I bought a copy of the Knox-Cox Gospel story. Eventually the Tablet asked us not to continue entering the competition.

Prepared by Frank Devonport 2000,/October 2003/March 2006

Sources

1. ↑ NZBDM births 25/11/1917 1917/28383 Devonport, Charles Edward, Mary Anne, John Francis
2. ↑ NZBDM deaths 14/10/2002 2002/24193 Devonport, Charles Edward, 25 November 1917

The reflection is copy and pasted from a word docx. ^[3]