CAS Sophomore Dies

Gathering tonight for remembrance and counseling

February 4, 2010
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Michael DeVito, a 19-year-old sophomore in the College of Arts & Sciences, from Rye, N.Y., was found dead early this morning. According to a Boston Police spokesperson, police responded to an “unconscious person” call at 50 Gardner St. at 8:30 a.m. Police say that when they arrived at the house, which is occupied by members of the Sigma Chi fraternity, emergency medical technicians were applying CPR. DeVito was transported by ambulance to St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. Boston University Police Chief Thomas Robbins says there is no evidence of foul play. As in the case of all unattended deaths, the death is being investigated by the Boston Police.

Dean of Students Kenneth Elmore says he is deeply saddened by DeVito’s death. “Our prayers and our hearts go out to his family and to those who knew Michael,” says Elmore. “His death is a great loss to the Boston University community.”

A gathering for remembrance and counseling will be held this evening at 6 p.m. in the Howard Thurman Center, on the lower level of the George Sherman Union. Counseling is also available at the department of behavioral medicine at Student Health Services, 881 Commonwealth Ave., 617-353-3569.

To see an updated version of this story, click here.

Art Jahnke can be reached at jahnke@bu.edu.

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CAS Sophomore Dies

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  • Art Jahnke

    Senior Contributing Editor

    Art Janke

    Art Jahnke began his career at the Real Paper, a Boston area alternative weekly. He has worked as a writer and editor at Boston Magazine, web editorial director at CXO Media, and executive editor in Marketing & Communications at Boston University, where his work was honored with many awards. Profile

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There are 29 comments on CAS Sophomore Dies

  10. My son Arthur was Mike’s roomate in 3 Buswell St. I only met Mike briefly but was impressed with what a nice young man he seemed to be. I’d appreciate very much any support that the BU community can lend to Mike’s family and friends in this time of grief. Thank you so much.

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  12. The absolute nicest kid you will ever meet. You can’t find anyone more genuine then Michael. It’s a shame that things like this have to happen to the people who deserve it least. May he rest in peace and may his family find the strength to deal with this terrible tragedy. We miss you Mike.

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  13. Mike, I never saw you without a smile. You were the warmest person I’ve ever come across and you managed to touch so many people. The last time I saw you, you shouted “I love you!” I love you too, Mike.

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  14. I never knew Michael, but I work at St. Elizabeths and was very touched by the group of friends who came to console his brother and eachother. It was a very tragic thing that happened today and my condolences go out to each and every one of you who knew him. This brought back vivid memories of a very close friend I lost years ago in highschool and I hope you can all heal with the help of one another. Rest in piece Michael. And God bless you all.

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  15. So sad and we send our thoughts and prayers out to his family. When I was young(I am 60 now) i had a friend Mike Devito in Rye and was wondering if Mike was related. Is Mike’s dad, Mike also and was his granddad a basketball coach at Rye High??? So sad and so young!

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  17. I had the pleasure of being his RA and his neighbor last year. An absolutely funny and charming presence; I will never forget him. May you rest in peace.

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  19. Mike was one of the most genuine, nice guys I have ever met. he cared so much for everyone and was sweet to everyone, even those he only met briefly. rest in peace mike. we all miss you.

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  20. what a loss. he was talented, charismatic, warm hearted, and just one of a kind….. haven’t met many people like Mike in my life… the world was a little better with him in it! it’s a sad day for everyone he touched. thoughts and prayers to his family.

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  21. I did not know Michael and do not believe I know his parents.
    From what I am reading Michael “is” a great person! Anytime a parent loses a child it is extremely difficult to except and Mike’s parents will need all of our help. I know this because I live the same pain as they will now burden.
    God Bless Mikes Parents, if there is anything I can do I am easy to find.
    God Speed…my Prayers and Love to You!

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  22. Mike was one the nicest guys I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. He always had a smile on his face and could make anyone who was having a bad day feel better. You will truly be missed but never forgotten. R.I.P.

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  23. Although I do not know Mike or his family it is obvious that is my loss. The loss of a child is the worst feeling life has to offer. Mike’s parents will need all the support we can offer.
    I know all to well of the pain they will burden for a very long time and if there is anything I can do I am very easy to find in Rye. God Speed, love n prayers to all. Jim Amico.

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  24. Mike was my roommate and a close friend. His loss has been an enormous blow to his friends and especially his family. I know that we and his family truly appreciate the outpouring of support from the BU community. For those of you who never had a chance to meet Michael, you should know that he was a generous and caring friend who would not hesitate to go out of his way to help anyone in need. Truly selfless Michael never asked for anything in return. He will be deeply missed. Please keep Michael and his family in your prayers.

    RIP

    best friends means friends forever

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  25. we can not understand why God took you away so early. We love you and miss you. We will be in Rye for you all of us. All of the class of 2008.
    Rest in peace we will never forget you.

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  26. Michael was one of three children from a very fine and supportive family. That God to took him so soon will be a saddness for us all. I can only hope that there was a needy child in heaven that needed a friend and mentor and that is why Michael was chosen. This image will never replace him in our hearts or his absence here on Earth. However, how can we make sense of any of this unless we have the assistance from God.

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  29. While not a day goes by where I do not feel his influence, the anniversary of Mike’s death is still marked with deep sadness and reflection. Memories of Mike have not faded, but burn bright still with each passing year. As time passes, you begin to wonder if the person you remember now has been exaggerated – with Mike, they have not. He truly was the kindest, most compassionate, gentle young man I had the pleasure of befriending. Sitting on his bed in Buswell, listening to the Beatles with him and laughing that he could immediately pick up the lyrics even when songs were being shuffled, even when I would try and pick obscure ones to catch him.

    It was apparent where Mike got his personality from. For those of us that attended the service and were about to embark on the long bus ride back to campus, Mrs. DeVito took time away from her family and friends – who were lucky enough to know him far longer than us BU kids – just to make sure we had food for the ride back. She was mothering us while going through the deepest pain imaginable, putting us before herself – exactly as her son would have done.

    I am unsure if anyone else revisits that difficult day by coming to this page, especially his family, but it has become a yearly ritual of mine. If you ever see this, know your son is in my heart everyday. If you too are in mourning even more than a decade later, know that you are not alone. I hope we are all making you proud, Mike.

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