Former Santa Paula Police Chief Bob Gonzales remembered that Devine was a big man. “He walked with a big stick but didn’t have it,” he added. “He taught people how to respect one another. I was very fortunate to be touched by John Devine.”School board member Tony Perez said that Devine took him to his first and only professional football game. “He was there like a great uncle, a father, a grandfather for all of us,” he noted.Devine was nominated by Mary Gonzales, Joe Jauregui and William Herrera. In their comments about Devine they stated: “Few people have achieved the degree of respect that he had so deservedly earned through his outstanding services to children in Santa Paula.”Other names submitted for consideration included Lou Lingo, the music instructor who passed away in 2004, Gil Navarro a retired PE, Art and Heal Education teacher, H. Peyton Johnson, a music instructor from the 1920’s to the 1950’s, and Mary Del Rio, who retired after 25 years of classified service at Isbell Middle School.The board also decided to name the Performing Arts wing of the building after Lingo. In addition, it was suggested that a plaque honoring Del Rio and perhaps others be placed in the building.
New Isbell gym to be named after John Devine
January 13, 2006
Santa Paula News
Trustees of the Santa Paula Elementary School District have voted to name the new Isbell Middle School gym/multi-purpose facility after the late John Devine.
By Brian D. WilsonSanta Paula TimesTrustees of the Santa Paula Elementary School District have voted to name the new Isbell Middle School gym/multi-purpose facility after the late John Devine.Devine, who retired as a teacher at Isbell in 1973, touched the lives of numerous students over his more than 27 years of service. Close to 500 of those former students signed petitions supporting the naming of the building in his honor.Several people spoke out at this week’s board meeting. City Councilmember Ray Luna remembered Devine fondly. “I regret not going back after I started my career and saying thank you to Mr. Devine for all the things he did for us,” Luna told the board.Santa Paula High School trustee Doug Jackson talked about how Devine had touched his life. “He made students respect authority in a good way,” Jackson said.
