Michael K. Devlin, 64, of New Canaan, died at home, Wednesday, August 3, 2011 of cancer. Born March 26, 1947 in New York, NY, he was the son of the late John C. Devlin and Thelma Musser Devlin and had lived in New Canaan all of his life. Michael was fortunate to have lived two lives. Up until the age of 21, Michael’s life started at the Little Red School House on Carter Street in New Canaan, collecting small “wild animals”, skiing, water sports, being outdoors and just being a kid and “hunting and fishing and stalking.” Following Graduation from New Canaan High School, Michael headed off to College at Miami-Dade. Michael’s second life began in 1968 after an accident in Florida, when a dive into a pond left him a quadriplegic, just weeks before he was to report to the Marine Corps. While at the Rusk Institute for Rehabilitation Medicine in New York City, a British-born Kenyan helped Devlin realize his interest in Africa. In addition, Mr. Devlin was a member of The Explorers Club since 1987 until recently, and in 2002 was honored as one of 24 “Champions of Wildlife”, an award presented to him for his work as a conservationist with regard to wildlife in South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe. At that time, Mr. Devlin was the United States Regional Director of South African based Endangered Wildlife Trust. Some of Mr. Devlin’s local efforts included lectures at schools and civic groups, as well hosting eight annual Endangered Wildlife Trust polo matches in Greenwich to raise awareness and funding for equipment used in research and educational projects in the field. Mr. Devlin did not let his disability slow him down: since 1968 when he was hurt, he has been in race-cars, gliders, ultra-light planes over Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, sailboat racing on the 12-meter yacht “Courageous”, and has criss crossed thousands of miles of African Bush in an old Land Rover. In addition, Michael had a love of all horse sports and would often be seen cruising along at various equine sporting events. Since 1998 along with his wife Betsy, Mr. Devlin had been a Partner of Handwright Gallery and Framing located in New Canaan. Mr. Devlin was quoted as saying, “I hope to leave the world a little bit better than I found it. I hope by the time I take my last breath, I will have made a difference somewhere.” Mr. Devlin is survived by his wife Elizabeth Jesup of New Canaan, his brother, John C. “Jack” Devlin, Jr. of North Yarmouth, ME and his sister, Tracey Devlin of Brattleboro, VT along with three nephews. A memorial service will be held in the fall. Online condolences may be sent to CaringBridge.org, Michael Devlin. PLEASE USE THE CARINGBRIDGE.ORG , MICHAEL DEVLIN GUEST BOOK FOR CONDOLENCES