William McGovern

~~William P. McGovern, (Bill) 81, of Union passed away peacefully at his home on Long Beach Island on January 4, 2015. A Mass will be celebrated at St. Michael’s Church, 1212 Kelly St. in Union on Friday, January 8th at 10:15am. Interment will follow at Hollywood Memorial Park. Friends are invited to visit at Bradley, Haeberle & Barth Funeral Home, 1100 Pine Ave in Union on Thursday from 4 to 8pm. For further information or to send a condolence please visit www.www.bradleyfuneralhomes.com.

Born in 1935, the son of Michael and Mary McGovern, Bill was a lifelong resident of Union where he attended St. Michael’s Grammar School and Union High School. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, on the U.S.S. Knapp. Bill was an Operating Engineer for local 68, working at the Prudential Building in Newark for most of his career. Bill was a fourth degree Knight for the Knights of Columbus in Union, a board member at Nora Gardens in Union, a member of the Galloping Hill Cruisers and a Tin Can Sailor. Bill was gifted story teller, WWII historian and talented handyman but most of all, Bill loved celebrating life with his family and friends at the family beach house in Surf City.

Bill was the beloved husband of over 50 years to the late Katherine. He was the devoted father of William, Jr and his wife Marcelle, Katherine DiFranco and her husband Tom, Susan Scalgione and her husband Mike, Hillarie Scannelli and her husband Michael and Brian McGovern and Andrea Sa. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren, his sister in law Joan McGovern as well as many loving nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill’s memory may be made to the Surf City First Aid Squad, 713 Long Beach Blvd. Surf City NJ 08008.