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Friends, Family Celebrate Life Of Westchester Man Found Dead In Mexico

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. -- Not many eulogies end with those attending taking shots of tequila, but then again, not many people lived a life like Harry Devert did.

Ann Devert remembers her son Harry at a celebration of his life in Pelham.

Ann Devert remembers her son Harry at a celebration of his life in Pelham.

Photo Credit: Sam Barron
Harry Devert died in Mexico at the age of 32.

Harry Devert died in Mexico at the age of 32.

Photo Credit: Sam Barron

Harry Devert, a 32-year-old Pelham native who went missing in Mexico in January and was found dead in July, had his life celebrated at Chester Park in Pelham on Saturday with friends and family celebrating a man who lived a thousand lifetimes.

His mother, Ann, who lives in New Rochelle, told a story about visiting the Bronx Zoo in which Harry kept running on the grass. Ann asked Harry if he saw the sign saying Keep Off The Grass.

"He said 'It says 'Keep off the grass, but Harry can go on,' " Ann said. "That shows you that Harry was Harry at a young age."

Ann said Saturday was about celebrating Harry's life. 

"It was a promise fulfilled," Ann said. "Everyone here made Harry feel rich. How great is that? Harry lived everyday like it was his last best day. He went all out. His life was complete. I am so proud of him."

Ann said she and her husband George had trouble keeping up with him.

"He was happy and healthy and he stayed that way," Ann said. "A parent does not get much luckier than that. I consider myself the luckiest mom on the face of the earth."

The world was Harry's oyster and Ann said he loved the joy of discovery.

"He celebrated differences and he celebrated unity," Ann said. "Harry was never bored. He found it easy to make friends. He was a happy person. Happiness is contagious. Have fun, live your life. Love your life. Everything is a miracle."

Friends came up, told stories about Harry's love for life and did a shot of tequila.

"You lived out your dream, my brother," Joe Kraljev said. "Not many people can say that. He was an awesome wingman." 

Devert went missing on Jan. 25 while traveling in Mexico by motorcycle on his way to Brazil for the World Cup. Mexican authorities found remains in two plastic bags near a motorcycle with an identification number matching that of Devert on July 13.

Read more about Harry Devert's disappearance and the search that followed.

 

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