Obituary of Joseph Patrick McGovern

Joseph Patrick McGovern Martinsville: Joseph Patrick McGovern, age 79, died on Wednesday, March 29, 2017 at Overlook Hospital in Summit. He was born and raised in Jersey City and lived in North Plainfield before moving to Martinsville 44 years ago. Mr. McGovern graduated from St. Peter's Prep in 1954 and St. Peter's College in Jersey City in 1958 with a Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry. He served in the United States Army and was stationed in Fort Benning, GA. and Fort Hood, TX. Mr. McGovern was a founder and Vice-President of Simulation, Inc., a Corporation Training company which enabled him to travel to all of the continental 48 states. Prior to starting his own company, Development Workshops, he worked at Colgate Palmolive and National Starch and Chemical. He was a former Communicant of St. Aloysius Church in Jersey City. Mr. McGovern was a classically trained singer who loved all Classical music and the Great American Songbook. He also loved photography and being a Business Owner. He was a renowned joke and story teller. He loved to travel to Italy, especially Venice. Surviving are his wife, Margaret M. McGovern; his daughters, Ellen Stevens and her husband, Donald and Annie McGovern (& Michael McFadden) and his grandchildren, Ryan, Miranda and Hannah who affectionately referred to him as "Gakos". He is also survived by his beloved dog, Manny. A visitation will be held on Friday, March 31, 2017 from 5 to 9 pm at Higgins Home for Funerals, 752 Mountain Blvd, Watchung. A final visitation will be held on Saturday from 9 am to 10 am at the funeral home followed by a 10:30 am Funeral Service at Liberty Corner Presbyterian Church. Cremation is private. Memorial donations may be made to Veterans Association of America, 511 W 165th St #309, New York, NY 10032.