Obituary: Bernard 'Bernie' McGovern, of Malden

The following is from A.J. Spadafora Funeral Home.

Bernie H. McGovern, of Malden, formerly of Medford, passed away on Thursday morning, Nov. 6, 2014, surrounded by his beloved family. He was 75.

Bernie was born in Medford, Jan. 10, 1939, and he was the son of Rose and Fred McGovern of Medford.

For more than 30 years, Bernie was employed as a pipe coverer for Local 6 Asbestos Workers. While there, he formed friendships and made memories that lasted his lifetime. After retiring, he worked at the family business, Papa’s Bar & Grille, where he created many more friendships and memories.

Bernie was a passionate gardener who took great pride in the flowers that decorated his home and his business. In recent months, he enjoyed taking care of and playing fetch with his cat, Saffy. But, nothing surpassed his love and his gratitude for his family and friends.

He is survived by his daughter Deanna Penn Collins and her husband Michael of Gloucester, his son and best friend Bernie McGovern, Jr. and his wife, Kelly, of Medford and five grandchildren whom he adored: Jaime, Bernie III and Jake McGovern, Griffin Penn and Charlotte Penn. He is also survived by his loving brothers and their wives: Fred and Barbara McGovern, Bob and Ann McGovern, Larry and MaryAnn McGovern, Marilyn Todd, the mother of his children, and her husband Arthur of Attleboro, as well as several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his sister Carolyn Amigo and his brothers George Ross and William McGovern.

The funeral will be held at the A. J. Spadafora Funeral Home, 865 Main St., Malden, on Wednesday, Nov. 12, at 9 a.m. followed by a mass of Christian burial in the Immaculate Conception Church, 600 Pleasant St., Malden, at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday, Nov. 11, from 4-8 p.m. Interment will be in Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Division of Nephrology at Boston Children’s Hospital in memory of Bernard McGovern. The wonderful doctors and nurses there were instrumental in successfully diagnosing and treating his grandson Bernie III. Contributions can be made online at www.bostonchildrens.org/givenow or you can send a check made payable to Boston Children’s Hospital at Boston Children’s Hospital Trust, 401 Park Drive, Suite 602, Boston, MA 02215-5301. Please include Bernard McGovern Sr. in the memo line of the check.

The McGovern family extends our sincere gratitude for all of our family and friends love and support.