Charles Devlin Jr., 90, founder of 2 tool firms

Charles J. Devlin Jr., 90, of Stone Harbor, N.J., founder of the Camden Tool Co. and later the 3D Tool Co., both in North Camden, died Tuesday, Feb. 24, at Wesley Manor in Ocean City, N.J.

Born in Philadelphia, Mr. Devlin grew up in the Fairmount neighborhood and graduated in 1942 from Roman Catholic High School.

During World War II, Mr. Devlin served in the Army Air Corps and flew 30 missions from England as a nose gunner on a B-24 bomber, said a son, Tony.

He studied accounting at the Spring Garden Institute and in 1950 opened Camden Tool, which distributed industrial metalworking equipment, material he had sold in his first job after the war.

In 1990, Mr. Devlin opened 3D Tool on the same site, and served as president of both firms until retiring in 1995.

While Camden Tool continues to distribute others' material, Tony said, 3D manufactures high-speed tools for cutting metal as well as surgical tools.

Both firms are now owned by himself and brother Dennis. Tony Devlin also has been head basketball coach at Paul VI High School in Haddon Township for the last nine years.

"His first job was in sales, and he was a great salesman," Tony Devlin said of his father. Among his strengths were "building relationships and managing people."

William Swift, sales manager at Camden Tool, said he had known Mr. Devlin since he was 12, while growing up with Dennis and Tony Devlin.

"I respected him as much as I would my own dad," Swift said. "A wonderful person of the Greatest Generation."

Besides his sons, Mr. Devlin is survived by wife Mary, son Charles, six grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

A visitation was set from 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, at St. Paul's Church, 9910 Third Ave., Stone Harbor, before an 11 a.m. Funeral Mass. Burial is to be private.

Donations may be sent to www.clearviewschool.org.

Condolences may be offered to the family at www.godfreyfuneralhome.com.