Thomas J. Devine

Jul 5, 1966 -

Feb 2, 2021

Thomas J. Devine, 54, passed away in a climbing accident near his home in Chugiak, Alaska, on Feb. 2, 2021.

Tom was born on July 5, 1966, in Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., to Marilyn and Clarence "Andy" Devine. He graduated in 1984 from Assumption High School and immediately enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He later worked as a private pilot out of Milwaukee, Wis., and devoted his spare time to rock climbing.

Tom met the love of his life, Cinda Lange, in 1990 in Waukesha, Wis. In 1992, they set out on an extended road trip to Alaska, detouring through 13 states and Mexico along the way. They married in 1995 and settled in Chugiak.

Tom worked in log home construction and sales, which led to a long and wide-ranging career. He and Cinda owned Bear Mountain Espresso coffee stand in Chugiak from 2002-2004. Through time, he worked for the Alaska Aces Hockey Team, Super Signs, Tatitlek Corporation, MTNT - all in Anchorage - and Potawatomi Business Development Corporation in Milwaukee, where he served as CEO. He was also self-employed as a business strategy consultant for many years.

Tom took up ice climbing and mountaineering, serving on the board of directors for the Mountaineering Club of Alaska and co-founding the Alaska Ice Climbing Festival in 2009. In addition to summiting Denali, he climbed Mt. Rainier in Washington several times and Iztaccihuatl in Mexico. He joined the support team of adventurer and MS patient-advocate Wendy Booker at Mt. Everest Base Camp for her 2009 summit attempt.

Cinda and daughters Allie, Lauren and Victoria affectionately refer to Tom as the most positive and optimistic person they had ever met. Others describe him as someone who could always see the best in others, even when they could not see it in themselves. Over the years, he mentored countless people - from loved ones to strangers - helping them rise to their full potential. Tom's family always came first, and his daughters will reap the benefits of his loving attention and outdoorsmanship for the rest of their lives.

Tom had a creative soul, which he expressed through his oil paintings, elaborately decorated birthday cakes and drawings on the family chalkboard.

Above all, Tom loved the Lord and sought to impact as many people as he could with the word of God.

He is survived by wife, Cinda; daughters, Allison, Lauren and Victoria; mother, Marilyn; brothers, John (Terri), Jim (Mary), Larry (Kathryn) and Dan (Lori); mother-in-law and father-in-law, Alice and Steve Manuell; brothers-in-law, Kevin Lange and Chris (Laura) Lange; and many beloved nephews and nieces on both sides of the family. He was preceded in death by his father, Clarence "Andy."

A celebration of life will be held for Tom on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021, at 2 p.m. at The Crossing at Birchwood, 22208 Birchwood Loop Road in Chugiak. The family requests that guests wear colorful attire. A livestream of the service can be accessed by clicking the "Watch Live" button at www.crossingak.org.