Monsignor Michael F. Devine passes away at 95

Monsignor Michael F. Devine, a retired priest of the Diocese of Saint Petersburg, died of natural causes on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. He was 95 years old.

Born in County Galway, Ireland, in 1931, Devine was ordained for the Diocese of Elphin in 1957. After serving in the Diocese of St. Augustine for two years, he returned to Ireland for fifteen years before moving back to Florida in July 1974.

During his time in Florida, Devine held several positions, including parochial vicar at St. Lawrence in Tampa, the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle in St. Petersburg, and Our Lady Queen of Peace in New Port Richey. He served as pastor of St. Cecelia Parish and School in Clearwater from 1979 to 1982 and led St. James Parish in Port Richey from 1984 to 2000. In 1999, Pope John Paul II named him an honorary monsignor.

Devine served as pastor of St. Brendan Parish in Clearwater Beach from 2000 until his retirement in 2009. He spent his later years residing in Ireland.