Erwin Devino

MILTON, Vt. - Erwin "Ernie" E. Devino, a longtime owner and operator of Devino Brothers Farm, in Milton, VT, died peacefully surrounded by his family, Monday, September 13, 2021, at the age of 76 years. A lifelong resident of Milton, VT; Ernie married his high school sweetheart, Loretta Ratte, on October 2, 1965; they were married for 55 years. He was born on April 10, 1945 in Burlington, VT, the son of Earl and Lucille (Ladeau) Devino. He graduated from Milton High School in 1963. Ernie also attended Vermont Technical College and graduated in 1965. He later joined his father in running the family dairy farm. Over the years he continued to expand its operation and was always striving to be a good steward of the land. He was a star athlete in high school achieving over 1,000 points on the basketball court. One of his proudest moments was gathering vintage Little League baseball items that were displayed at the Milton town office. He was a longtime supporter of the New York Yankees and the Boston Celtics. He had a passion for photography and scrapbooking. Ernie was a people person and enjoyed talking in person and frequently on the phone. In later years, he could often be found attending his grandchildren's sporting events and offering words of encouragement to them and their teammates. Ernie served on the Milton Planning Commission and the Richmond Milk Cooperative Board of Directors. He also served as the Vermont Junior Holstein Association Advisor and was a past director and president of the Northwest Holstein Club and loved putting on impromptu slide shows. He took great pride in forming and being a leader of the Milton Milk Makers 4-H Club and enjoyed leasing animals to youth in Chittenden County. Besides his wife, Loretta, he is survived by his daughter, Kristie (Devino) Real and her husband Steve of Georgia, VT and grandson Joseph, his son, Jason Devino of Milton, VT, and his daughter Kelli (Devino) Dunklee and her husband Jeff of Vernon, VT and granddaughter Whitney, and his brother, Lee Devino of Milton, VT, and sisters Donna King of Fairfax, VT and Caroline Collins of Westford, VT. He also leaves behind his beloved cats, Rose-z and Harry Potter. Erwin was predeceased in death by his mother and father and sister, Coleen Devino. Friends and family may call on Thursday, September 30, 2021, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Minor Funeral Home, 237 Route 7 South, Milton, VT. A celebration of his life will be held at the Devinos following the service. Ernie strongly believed in supporting dairy youth and enjoyed watching his kids, grandkids and other youth grow and develop through breed association programs. In support of youth programs memorial donations can be made to the Vermont Ayrshire Association, 1467 Gilman Road, Bethel, VT 05032.