Lawrence Patrick Devlin

Lawrence Patrick Devlin; (Patrick), 83, professor emeritus, from Saunderstown, RI and Englewood, Florida, passed away Wednesday, June 22, 2022 surrounded by his family. Patrick was born in Paterson, New Jersey on April 11, 1939. He was the only child born to Lawrence Joseph Devlin and Rosaline Ann Larson from Paterson, N.J. He is survived by his life partner of thirty-four years, Carol Clegg Killeen; his children, Kate Devlin of MA, Cristin Devlin Kaufman and son in-law Marlin Kaufman of NH, and Matthew Devlin and daughter in-law Amy Devlin of MA; his stepchildren, Huong Huoy Polombo, Kerin Clegg Browning and spouse Rich Browning, and Kristen Clegg Almonte and spouse Steve Almonte of RI; ten grandchildren; and several great grandchildren. Patrick graduated from St. Mary’s School in Paterson, NJ. He attended Paterson State College in 1962-1963; BA in social science and Columbia University; MA in Speech Communication. Patrick earned a PhD in Speech Communication from Wayne State in Detroit, MI, in 1969. In his professional life, Patrick worked as a teacher in his early years, he worked at General Motors, as an assistant professor for one year. He worked as a Debate Coach at Wayne State University. Additionally, he worked at Colby College in ME for one year. The majority of Patrick’s career was spent as a Professor at the University of Rhode Island in the Communications Studies Department from 1967 to 2006. Dr. Devlin served as a Speech Communications Department Chair from 1980 to 1986. During his career Patrick published two books, Contemporary Political Speaking and Political Persuasion in a Presidential Campaign. He wrote ten chapters and twenty articles. The University Faculty Strike occurred in 1979, this was the first and only strike at the University. Patrick was the chief negotiator and successfully negotiated a contract after a 19-day strike. Devlin’s legacy is his “Collection of Presidential Campaign TV Ads’, which he donated to the University of Rhode Island in the early 2000’s. He held the largest private collection of Ads that exist today and begins with 1929 Eisenhower ads and ends with Trump. In addition to collecting political ads and researching politics, he lectured on cruise ships around the world from Hawaii to Russia about politics in the USA during his retirement years. Patrick loved political life, he loved the outdoors, skiing, boating, and hiking. He enjoyed cooking and was a former member of the gourmet club. He had a passion for adventure and travel. But most of all, he cherished his family. He and his partner resided between their lake home in RI, and Florida home during the winter months. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, June 30, 2022 at 10 AM in Christ the King Church, 180 Old North Rd, Kingston. Burial will be private. Calling hours will be held for Patrick on Wednesday, June 29, 2022 from 5 to 8 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christ The King Church, Stained Glass Fund.