Obituary of Philip P. McGovern

Philip P. McGovern of Binghamton, NY passed away peacefully at age 100, on October 31, 2023, being the oldest member of our McGovern family. Philip was born January 5, 1923 to Philip P. and Alice Conway McGovern in Jersey City, NJ not far from where he grew up in Northern New Jersey. He is predeceased by his beloved wife, Rose Mary McGovern, married 47 years before her death in 2019, his parents, Philip P. and Alice, his brothers, Gerard, Lawrence, and John McGovern, his parents in law, Ambrose and Edna Kallighan, and brother in law, Richard Wooster. He is survived by his children, Philip A. McGovern (and Catherine) and Clare McGovern-Lind (and Erik), and his dearly loved grandchildren, Brenna, Seamus, Ezra, and Isaac. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Laura Wooster, of Port Jervis, NY, and sister, Sr. Mary Immaculate, O.P. (Alice McGovern), of Caldwell, NJ, who has been a daily support for him, along with an abundance of nieces, nephews, and cousins from both sides of the family, and friends from the local area and around the country. Phil will be missed by his family and friends, who are relieved that he was able to peacefully leave this Earth after such a long and varied life, and now he can reunite with Rose Mary and all his predeceased loved ones. Much like his wife, his first devotion was to the Catholic Church, and the Jesuit Order. He served for many years as a missionary priest and a teacher before devoting himself to his family and children with Rose Mary, while remaining true to his Catholic faith by supporting local churches and pro-life organizations, and those in need in the community. He continued as a Math and Latin teacher until retirement where he supported Rose Mary's continuing nursing career until her own retirement. Rose Mary and Phil were then able to travel regularly along the East Coast, and became regular sideline cheerleaders for Brenna and Seamus' various activities, which Phil continued into his late 90s. His family is grateful for Tamara and the caregivers from iCare Adult Services, and especially the invaluable caregiving and utmost patience of Jean Vail and Susan Scott who provided care for Phil and support for his family. They also appreciated the attentive staff from Lourdes Hospice, especially Rose, Sarah, and Deacon Mike, for allowing him to spend his last months at home, and the staff at Mercy House for their compassionate care during his last few days on Earth. The family would also like to thank Sister Lucia and Father Werner from St. Mary of the Assumption Church for their visits and helping him maintain involvement with the Catholic church, and Sr. Mary Immaculate, O.P. for assisting and supporting the family with her time and compassion. Philip was a member of St Mary of the Assumption Church, Binghamton. A Funeral Mass will be offered at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Court Street, Binghamton, Saturday at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Chenango Valley Cemetery, Hillcrest. The family will receive friends at the J. A. McCormack Sons Funeral Home, 141 Main Street, Binghamton, Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. Memorial contributions in Philip's memory may be made to Mercy House of the Southern Tier, 212 North McKinley Avenue, Endicott, New York 13760 or Mom's House 770 Harry L. Drive, Johnson City, NY 13790.