Support the Devico Family in Their Time of Need

If you know Mark Devico, you know the meaning of true kindness.

Mark grew up in St. Brendan’s parish and embodies everything we love about Dorchester—loyalty, humility, generosity, and the kind of heart that makes everyone feel like family. He is the friend who would give you the shirt off his back, no questions asked.

Today, Mark and his family urgently need that same compassion in return.

For years, the Devico family has confronted hardship after hardship—medical struggles, financial uncertainty, the demanding responsibilities of raising a special-needs child—and somehow they have always remained positive. No matter how heavy the load became, Mark and Barbara refused to give up. They have continued moving forward with hope, faith, and quiet resilience, never asking for anything in return.

Now, the weight on this family has grown too great for them to carry alone.

Mark lives in Dorchester with his loving wife, Barbara, and their daughter, Maya, a special-needs student who requires constant care, structure, and support both at home and at school in Hanover.

Mark has battled severe health challenges for many years. He has been on dialysis for five years and four years ago he bravely underwent open-heart surgery. Even as his health declined, Mark kept his spirits high and although it was necessary for him to medically retire from Boston Water & Sewer in 2019, he continued working part-time whenever he could—doing everything possible to support his family.

On Friday, November 15th, Mark suffered a series of life-threatening medical complications and had to be placed on life support. By the grace God, two days later, Mark made an incredible step forward: he was able to breathe on his own and is now awake and coherent.

This moment was nothing short of a miracle for his family and it showed, more than ever, the strength of Mark’s spirit, his determination to fight for those he loves, and his unwavering drive to keep going despite overwhelming odds.

Still, Mark remains in extremely serious condition, and the road ahead is long and uncertain. Doctors and surgical teams continue to meet daily as they plan the next steps in his care. Early indications pointed to Mark likely requiring multiple procedures and possibly both a heart and kidney transplant to survive. To date, no medical procedures have been performed due to various complications.

As Mark fights for his life, Barbara is doing everything she can to care for her critically ill husband and their daughter, whose special-needs routine cannot simply pause during this crisis. To manage it all, she has had to take a leave from work, leaving the family with limited income during this overwhelming time. Family and friends are doing what they can to alleviate some of the family's stress, but your help matters now more than ever.

The Devicos have spent their lives giving—to neighbors, friends, community, and anyone who needed a helping hand. They have met every challenge life has thrown at them with courage and unwavering positivity, but this time, the challenges are simply too great to face without support.

Your donation—no matter the amount—will help ease the crushing financial burden caused by:

-Loss of all household income

-Medical expenses not covered by insurance

-Travel and lodging needs as Mark receives advanced treatment

-Specialized care and stability for Maya

-Everyday expenses as Barbara remains by Mark’s side

Mark has a long, difficult road ahead, but he is fighting. Barbara is fighting. Their daughter, Maya, is fighting. Now they need their community to fight with them. Please stand with the Devico Family. Your generosity, your prayers, and your willingness to share this fundraiser will make a profound difference for a family that has spent their lives refusing to give up—no matter how many obstacles they’ve faced.

Thank you for helping the Devicos in their time of greatest need.

Please donate and share.