Colam Devaney
🌱 24th February 1945 🕊️ 10th May 2025
🏠 Trabane, Lettermore, Co Galway, Ireland
🏡 Acocks Green, Birmingham, UK
Obituary
Colam “Dad” Devaney passed away peacefully on 10 May 2025 at the age of 80.
Born in 1945 in Connemara, Ireland, he was one of eight children, with Irish as his first language. Life taught him resilience and joy in simple things; traits he carried with him throughout his 80 years.
He moved to England in 1963 and settled in Birmingham, where he met and married our mom, Mary Connell, in 1970. Together, they raised eight children. Dad was deeply proud of his family and remained a steady, loving presence in our lives.
Mom passed away twenty one years ago, but Dad carried her memory with him every day, sharing stories of their life and laughter.
Dad’s happiest hours were spent in his allotment. Give him a patch of earth, and he could coax the sweetest carrots, the plumpest tomatoes and the biggest spuds. And he’d usually sneak a quick pint on the way home.
He also enjoyed a flutter on the horses, a pint of Guinness, and the company of good friends and family. He had a brilliant sense of humour and often laughed the hardest at his own jokes.
Dad never arrived anywhere empty handed. A recycled plastic bag full of unwashed veg and a small bottle of Jameson’s was his regular greeting card.
He travelled the world with his mischievous humour and unshakeable curiosity: America, Thailand, Patagonia and most memorably to Benidorm last year, where his antics even made the Mail Online. He delighted in life’s little wonders: a winding footpath, a cheeky pigeon, a winning racing tip.
Dad was a pillar of his community. He was always ready to prune a church hedge, help a neighbour, or share a bit of wisdom (often disguised as a quip). As a grandfather, he was playful, gently teasing the grandkids while quietly asking, “Are you happy?” Their smiles were his greatest prize.
Dad’s steady kindness and his boundless sense of humour will stay with us forever.
He’s gone on to tend new gardens in whatever comes next, but every time we bite into a homegrown spud or share a glass of something strong with friends, we’ll feel his presence, and his grin, right beside us.
Dad leaves behind eight children, a troop of grandchildren, and one proud great-grandson who will carry forward his generous heart and his knack for finding magic in the smallest moments.
Rest easy, Dad. You planted a lifetime of love & we’ll carry your generous heart with us always.
Service
Reception Service: 6pm Monday, 2nd June 2025 at Sacred Heart & Holy Souls Church, Acocks Green, Birmingham B27 6RG
Requiem Mass: 11am Tuesday, 3rd June 2025 at Sacred Heart & Holy Souls Church, Acocks Green, Birmingham B27 6RG followed by burial at Brandwood End Cemetery, Kings Heath, Birmingham B14 6EQ
The family would like to invite all who knew Colam to join them to celebrate his life at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Club, 222 Trittiford Road, Yardley Wood, Birmingham B13 0EU
Order of Service
Eulogy
Reception Service
Funeral Mass
Marie Curie
In the final chapter of Dad’s life, our family was incredibly fortunate to have the support of the Marie Curie team at the hospice in Solihull. Their care for Dad was nothing short of extraordinary. They created an environment of peace, comfort, and dignity for him and all of us. They were compassionate, professional, and always responsive, making an unbearably difficult time more bearable through their warmth and kindness.
We spent afternoons wandering the beautiful gardens, then gathered for lunch in their bistro, where the staff treated us like part of the family. Outings had become a challenge, but every effort was made to make us feel relaxed and supported, and every moment made comfortable.
Thanks to Marie Curie’s overnight nursing care, he slept at home knowing there was always someone skilled and compassionate watching over him, ready to ease his pain or sit by his side when the house felt too quiet. Their nurses dropped in and called regularly, not just to manage his symptoms but to check how he was feeling, to share a laugh, or to reassure him that he wasn’t facing this journey alone. That support extended to us, too.
The day Dad’s symptoms worsened, a Marie Curie nurse recognised it immediately and, within a day or two, we were at the hospice. There, he finally met a doctor who truly listened, saw more than his medical chart, and cared for his spirit, fears, and the people who loved him.
Their hospice team wrapped him and us in dignity and respect, attending to every need from spiritual support to quiet moments of reflection. Our large family were given space to be with Dad, stay overnight, share stories, laugh at memories and find solace in the gardens. One afternoon, they even wheeled Dad’s bed into the spring garden so he could feel the sun on his face surrounded by his family.
Dad had a peaceful passing, with his eight children at his side. That would not have been possible without Marie Curie, and we are forever grateful.
To honour Dad’s memory, we aim to raise approximately £12,000, the amount it costs to fund a whole day of care at the Marie Curie hospice. We want to dedicate that day in his name, so that others can receive the same level of comfort, dignity, and love Dad did. It’s our way of saying thank you and continuing his legacy of kindness and generosity. Every donation, no matter how small, will help this vital charity continue to provide end-of-life care, emotional support, and dignity to those facing the hardest moments of their lives.
Thank you for remembering our Dad with us and for helping us give back in his name.
Book of Condolence
To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die.
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Your kind words and memories bring us comfort and strength.
5 Jun 2025
Oliver
5 Jun 2025
Jacob
I'll always remember time spent at the allotment and coming over to the house and being offered whatever culinary concoction you had made up in "the wok".
You were a grafter to the end and I'm proud to be your grandson.
The best grandad in the world.
4 Jun 2025
Fenella & Conall
'Digging.....and biscuits!'
xxx
4 Jun 2025
Joab Darby
4 Jun 2025
Róisín
Love you, rest well xx
3 Jun 2025
Carmel kavanagh
The day I walked home from school and caught up with Clare Devaney was the best day of my life. 🌻 That was the day we discovered we both ate the same butter—and from that moment on, Acocks Green was never the same! 🤣 Clare became my best friend, and she’s been my best friend for over 40 years.
I’ve eaten, slept, drank, attended family functions, and changed many a dirty bum for Martin, Marie, Alice, and Peter. 🤣 The Devaneys are my extended family. I love them with all my heart—whether they wanted me or not, they were stuck with me! 🤷♀️❤️🤣
Colam was such a happy soul. I loved going around for Sunday dinner. He’d come in from his allotment, arms full of vegetables, and if he had plenty, he’d always give me a bag to take home to my mum and dad. Those dinners were magical—big family gatherings around a packed table: Angela, Jimmy, Collette, Clare, Martin, Alice, Marie, Peter… I love you all. ❤️
I’m absolutely gutted for every one of you. He was so funny—his jokes were often rubbish, but they made me laugh so much as a kid. I remember him trying to teach me Gaelic once. He joked, “Your parents didn’t teach you Irish?” and we laughed together. And you know what? To this day, I can still count in Irish because of your dad.
Truthfully, I’m devastated I can’t be there today. I wish I could be with you in person to support you, just as you did for me when my father passed. 😢 I remember the night before Mary’s funeral, Colam and I had a quiet chat. He said, “Thank you for being such a good friend to Clare. Thank you for always looking out for her.” And I told him, “You’ve got it all wrong, Colam—Thank you! Thank you for raising such a brilliant person. She looks out for me! She takes care of me. She’s the best person ever, and that’s because of You and Mary.”❤️🌻
I’ll miss your jokes, Colam—maybe not always funny, but always delivered in a way that made us laugh. I’ll miss Sunday dinners and the bags of veg. I’ll miss hearing you speak so proudly about your children—and rightly so, because they are amazing. ❤️🌻
I love you to bits. The heavens are going to be laughing a lot more now.
Rest in peace, Colam
Love you loads,
Carmel
Your 9th child ❤️
3 Jun 2025
Angela
3 Jun 2025
Daniel
I don't beleive the Brian name was exclusive to me. I'm sure there will be others reading this who were also called Brian, especially Brian..
I'm writing this because these are the kind of things he did and it was comical. Along with the huge excitement he displayed when delivering his own jokes or stores, accompanied by much fidgeting around and the increasing height of his trousers above his ankles.
The majority of our discussions revolved around sport (where there might be an Irish person or team that were 'the best'). He would often call the house phone to discuss a news item or sporting event that had just happened.
I gave him a great sporting moment in the Western once. It involved me being the only Albion fan in the pub, a goal, an over celebration and an offside decision...!
He always asked how I was and what was happening at work. He always showed a genuine interest in his grandchildren and in doing this, his love for them.
I admired his own story of hard work, dedication to his family and the warmth he gave to others.
I will miss him.
3 Jun 2025
Frank
I wasn’t always the cuddliest with you (a good growl keeps everyone on their toes), but you meant well. And between the bacon, the stubbornness, and the twinkle in your eye, I’ll miss you in my own doggy way.
Sending a respectful grumble and a tail wag,
Frank 🐾
2 Jun 2025
Áine
I’ll love and miss you forever, sleep tight until we meet again ❤️
2 Jun 2025
Caleb Darby
Rest in peace Grandad 💚
2 Jun 2025
The Sunner Family
May he rest in peace, and may the stories he shared and the joy he gave continue to live on in all who knew him.
1 Jun 2025
Clare
23 May 2025
Graham
He was generous with his time, efforts, and knowledge. He would always help in the garden and turn up at eight in the morning. Crossing the city on two buses with a shovel and clippers and an old plastic bag of unwashed vegetables in his hands. He chatted about the people he met while he worked like an ox, telling me to take it easy and make some tea.
He was always interested in the details of the world around him, be it plants, flowers, birds or people. You knew when he was excited or had found something new, he would break into a big smile and say unbelievable!
Col was a wise man and could read people; often, he knew them better than they would themselves. So, how long for those four men to dig? Don't ask me; it turns out I am not that clever.
I am richer for the time we shared with him, but the world is poorer for losing him. RIP Colam.
22 May 2025
Edan Tal
PS: On embellished stories, I would like to point out that unlike what Colam said, I did not get so drunk and nervous at Wetherspoons on Christmas 2018 that I asked him to marry me instead of Marie.
22 May 2025
Jimmy Mc Laughlin (Little Jimmy)
Such a lovely human being.
Very humourous
Delighted to be playing music at Our Lady of Lourdes at the wake.
May he Rest In Peace.
21 May 2025
Linda Campbell (Doran)
A memory of your dad.
He joined the Carlow Association for a meal after a St Patrick's parade. He sat at our table and quickly made friends with my daughter (only around 2 at the time) chatting away and playing games with her. One of the nicest gentleman I've every had the pleasure of meeting.
May he rest in eternal peace 🙏
20 May 2025
teresa lee
we was very lucky 💚
Rest in peace ❤️
20 May 2025
Julie hill
16 May 2025
Martin
16 May 2025
Trena Charles Lynch
16 May 2025
Kerry
16 May 2025
Emer
15 May 2025
Alice
15 May 2025
Colette
15 May 2025
Angela
15 May 2025
Ava
15 May 2025
