Obituary of John McGovern

John W. McGovern, 89, passed away peacefully at home in the care of Hospice of Marion County on January 22, 2010. He was the son of the late James H. and Lucille W. McGovern. Born on August 4, 1920, in Oak Park, IL, he was raised in Norwalk, CT, and moved to South Florida in 1953 where he worked as an Architectural Hardware Consultant until retiring to Ocala. As a young man, John held office in DeMolay International and served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. Locally he was active in the Notch Victims United campaign, worked as a Poll Deputy for Marion County, held the office of Treasurer of Section 13 of the FMO of Florida, served as a past president of Oak Bend Homeowners' Association and contributed frequent "Senior's Opinion" columns to the Ocala Star-Banner.His loving wife of 60 years, Cecile "Cee" Abbott McGovern; infant daughter, Dana Sue McGovern; son, J. Michael McGovern; grandson, Jon Catlett; and sister, Virginia McGovern Fairty, preceded John in death.Survivors include his daughter, Cynthia (L.G.) Catlett of Saraland, AL; sons, Bill (Cindy) McGovern of St. Petersburg, FL, Jim McGovern of Quartzite, AZ, and Jeff (Laurie) McGovern of Coral Springs, FL; grandsons, Glen (Kimberly) Catlett, and Dan McGovern; great-grandson, Joshua Catlett; beloved nieces and nephews; sister-in-law, Norma Nichols of Norwalk, CT; and many special friends and neighbors in the Oak Bend community.A celebration of John's life will be held at the Oak Bend clubhouse on Saturday, January 30, 2010, at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions be made to Hospice of Marion County (Ocala, FL) or your favorite charity. Arrangements are under the care of Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services, Ocala, FL.