Online Obituaries

James W. McGovern, 86, of Chicopee, passed away on Friday, December 15, 2023 at home surrounded by his family.  He was born on May 13, 1937 in Springfield and was the son of the late Francis and Mary (Scully) McGovern.  James was a retired Director of Engineering at the Shriner’s Hospital for Children.  He was a graduate of Tech High School in Springfield and the Quarter Back for the Football Team. They were the Western MA Champs in 1954.  He was a U.S. Navy veteran and was a BT2 and the oil king on the USS Donner LSD 20.  James coached the 14 to 16 Champs at Post 430 in 1971. James is survived by his wife of sixty-one years, Janet M. (Hatzipetro) McGovern; daughters and sons, Laura Wagner and husband, Mark, Kimberly Remy and husband, Michael, Brian McGovern and companion Cindy Dubay and Timothy McGovern and wife, Candace; a sister, Ellen Martin; four grandchildren, Michael Wagner, Kimberly McGovern and fiancé Jon Dunphy, Katelyn McGovern and Joseph McGovern and three great grandchildren, Scarlet Rose Dunphy, Mackenzie Dunphy and Valoria Wagner. Besides his parents, he is predeceased by his daughter, Baby Elizabeth and his brothers and sisters, Madaline “Terry” Garvey, William McGovern, Frances “Pat” McGovern, Mary Ann DuBois and Brenda Simons. Calling hours are Thursday, December 21st from 5 to 7 pm at the Cierpial Memorial Funeral Home on 69 East St. in Chicopee.   A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held in the Basilica of St. Stanislaus on Friday, December 22, 2023 at 9 am. Burial will follow at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main St. in Agawam at 11 am.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made Alzheimer’s Research, 264 Cottage St., Springfield, MA  01104 or the charity of your choice.