This is my favorite picture of my father and I. It’s from 3 years ago, in his favorite place (Cancun, Mexico) on his 71st birthday. As you can see, the man had great hair and loved a good vacation shirt. Early yesterday morning, Kevin Devaney Sr. passed away after months of health complications. He was 74. While I never imagined I’d ever feel ready to let go, it was his time. He was struggling badly, especially in the final few days. We all got to see him and say our own goodbyes. He’s in a better place now. My mother and my two sisters are at peace. Very few really knew my dad. I used to think that he and I were nothing alike. He had almost no interest in sports. He didn’t play golf. He didn’t have Facebook or Twitter. He was quiet and rarely social. He kept an extremely low profile and a tight circle. My mother was his best friend. Maybe even, his only friend. But as I’ve gotten older, I realized how similar we truly are. I learned to appreciate those qualities. I’ve never known anyone who worked harder, was more loyal and trusting, or cared more about providing for the people he loved. He was honest. He was genuine. He loved to tell a good story. The only thing he ever bragged about was his kids. All of the things I ever want to be in life, my father was. He was, and always will be, my idol. Here’s the greatest thing I can tell you about my dad: My parents 57 years ago today. They left home at 18 years old with almost no money to their name. As people did in the 1960s, they started off for San Francisco to begin a life together. At 23, they had their first child, my sister Karen. During delivery, there were complications and she was soon diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. Doctors told my parents that Karen would never be normal. She had severe brain damage and physical disabilities. My dad didn’t blink. He decided then to not only devote his whole existence to caring for and protecting Karen — knowing he would face the unimaginable challenges of parenting a child with disabilities — he wanted to build a family around her. Soon, my sister Erin and I came along. We learned young about sacrifice and feeling grateful for everything in life. My mother spoiled us. She still does. But my dad’s main focus in life, 51 years later up until the moment he died, was always on my sister Karen. My dad built a successful business. He moved us from a cramped two-bedroom apartment and into a house we dreamed about. He took us on vacations, gave us unforgettable Christmas mornings, got us cars when we turned 16 and put us through college. He always ensured my mom got all the credit. As the son of Irish immigrants, he was the American Dream. We never wanted for anything. He sacrificed to provide an amazing life for us and asked for absolutely nothing in return. I’m 43 now and I believe my father taught me the keys to life: Love your wife. Love your children. And do whatever it takes for them. KDS never wanted attention for anything. But for one day, I’d like to give it to him. Nothing makes me prouder than looking at the “Jr” at the end of my name. I hope I made him proud, too. RIP Dad.