James Hugh McGovern

A Navy veteran who served in World War II, a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and an avid Ham Radio operator (N5ADE), Mac McGovern passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2007, at 9:35 a.m. at the Butterfly Wing of Hospice of Baton Rouge. He was 83 and lived most of his adult life in Baton Rouge. He was born Dec. 31, 1923, in New York. He is survived by four daughters and sons-in-law, Jamie and Randy Bayhi and Kathy and Jimmy Orr, all of Baton Rouge, Dianne and Bob Yandell, of Stockton, Calif., and Patti and Patrick Donnelly, of Palm Coast, Fla.; a daughter-in-law, Terri Tucker McGovern, of Prairieville; 18 grandchildren, Andrew, Ian, Dorian, Dustin and Paul Vincent, Patrick, Natalie and Christopher Bayhi, Adam McGovern, Steven, Kevin and Wesley Orr, Wayne Stiles, Christine and Bill Dickey, Meghan Lundy, Kevin and Brian Donnelly; and seven great-grandchildren. Mac was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Celestin McGovern; son, James Patrick McGovern; daughter, Angel McGovern Vincent; grandson, Brandon Vincent; and beloved companion, Lois Mills Talbot. He was also preceded in death by his parents, James and Kathleen Gray McGovern, and brother, Donald McGovern, who were all of New York. Visiting at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd., on Thursday, Sept. 20, was from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Visiting resumes at the funeral home chapel on Friday from 10 a.m. until funeral service at noon. Interment in Port Hudson National Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Paul Vincent, Wayne Stiles, Christopher Bayhi, Patrick Bayhi, Wesley Orr and Adam McGovern. The family would like to express their appreciation for the care provided by the staffs of Jefferson Manor Nursing Home, various local hospitals, area physicians and Hospice of Baton Rouge Butterfly Wing.