Joseph J. McGovern Sr

NarragansettJoseph J. McGovern Sr., 84, of Ashbrook Road, died Saturday at South County Hospital. He was the beloved husband of Mildred J. (Lally) McGovern. They had been married for fifty-eight years. Born in Providence, a son of the late Bernard and Catherine (Mulvey) McGovern, he lived in the Elmhurst section of Providence for many years before moving to Narragansett twenty years ago. Mr. McGovern was an Army veteran of WW II, assigned to the 96th Infantry Division, and was awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and Combat Infantryman Badge during his service to our country. Joe had a long and distinguished career with the Outlet Department Store, in Downtown Providence, first as an assistant buyer, then buyer, in the Television and Record Sales Departments for ten years. He moved to the Furniture Sales Department for the next twenty-two years, until the store closed in the early 1980's.He went on to work for the former Alperts Furniture Store in Seekonk for two years before retiring in 1985. He was a communicant of Saint Mary, Star of the Sea Church, and a life member of the V.F.W. Post 916, Wakefield. He enjoyed both fresh and salt-water fishing in and around the Narragansett area. Beside his wife Mildred, he leaves two sons, Joseph J. McGovern, Jr. and his wife Maryellen, and Donald J. McGovern, both of Narragansett; and three granddaughters, Kathryn A., Jennifer M., and Meaghan P. McGovern. He was the father of the late Robert T. McGovern, who died November 12th, and brother of the late Mary Carney, Catherine O'Connor, Thomas McGovern and Bernard McGovern, who was killed in action during WW II. The funeral will be held Friday, at 8:30 am, from the Russell J. Boyle & Son Funeral Home, 142 Centerville Road (Rt117) Warwick. Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am in Saint Mary, Star of the Sea Church, Point Judith Road, Narragansett. Burial, with military honors, in Saint Ann Cemetery, Cranston. Visiting hours Thursday, 3 - 6 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to A Wish Come True, 1010 Warwick Avenue, Warwick, RI 02888 in his memory will be appreciated.