Devin L. Closser

CLINTON- Devin Louden Closser (35) died unexpectedly on May 7, 2024 at his home in Clinton, MA.

Devin was born in Greenfield on February 24, 1989 and grew up out in the country at 445 Tully Road, in Orange, MA. He was the son of Patricia A. Smith and Jay E. Closser.  Devin attended Orange Elementary Schools (all three of them) and Ralph C. Mahar Regional Middle/High School, graduating in the top ten in his class in 2007. He went on to college at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst where he obtained a B.A. in Anthropology, graduating with High Honors in 2012.

Devin played Pop Warner football and YMCA basketball from an early age, through which he established many special friendships, and continued playing sports throughout high school. He was especially proud of his two Super Bowl rings, from when the Mahar Football Team were Division 3 Regional Champions in 2003 and 2004. He played with gusto no matter the sport and was an all-around athlete until injuries slowed him down. In recent years, he played disc golf with his friends, but always competitively.

Devin was a hard worker, beginning in Middle School, when he worked summers for Michael Humphries Woodworking in Warwick, MA. While at UMass, he worked for the university, doing all kinds of maintenance work across the Amherst campus, and driving all the big trucks. Since college he has held a number of jobs including at DCR, in real estate, construction and sales around the Boston area. 

Music has always been special for Devin and our whole family. In addition to playing guitar beautifully, he also was a songwriter and excelled at making up songs in the moment to the delight of his audience.  He was a great storyteller, and entertained us all over the years with his tales. He also loved the outdoors, spending a lot of time in the woods and on nearby ponds and streams growing up. There was a brook outside his house in Clinton, which made him feel at home.

Devin struggled with addiction which he tried hard to control, successfully seeking treatment and rehabilitation on several occasions over the years. We are so thankful for the support he received from family and friends in trying to deal with this heart-breaking disease.

Devin was predeceased by his grandparents Patricia L. Smith and Captain William Adams Smith Jr. on his mother's side, and Sarah V. Closser and Ernest Closser Jr. on his father's side, as well as by his surrogate Grandmother Marilyn Felton.

He is survived by his parents; his brothers Nowell C. Closser of Somerville, MA and Leigh S. Closser of Amherst, MA; as well as our chosen brother Trent D. George; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins on both sides of the family with whom he was very close. Most importantly, Devin is survived by his beloved daughter, Kailani J. Closser, 7.5 years old, and her mother Kierra R. Clary, both of Clinton, MA. 

In his short life, Devin had many accomplishments and was a good person with a warm and loving heart. His family and friends loved him dearly.  His memory lives on.

Please join the family for a celebration of Devin’s life on Saturday, May 18, 2024 at 2:00 PM in the Warwick Town Hall, 12 Athol Road, Warwick, MA 01378. We are hoping for lots of stories and good music!

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a fund for Devin’s daughter Kailani, at the following address:  Bank Hometown, UTMA Fund for Kailani Closser, c/o Kierra Clary, 237 Walnut St., Apt. 1, Clinton, MA 01510.

Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, is assisting the family.

Guest book online at WWW.WITTYFUNERALHOME.COM

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