Holyoke – 
Joseph T. “Ted” McGovern, 87, (1929-2016) passed away peacefully on Friday, October 28, 2016 at The Loomis House in Holyoke. He was born in Springfield to the late Joseph T. and Louise N. (Gregg) McGovern and was a 1946 graduate of West Springfield High School and attended the Stafford School of Agriculture. He was a retired US Navy Veteran of the Korean War were he served his country proudly as an aviation electrician. Ted was employed as an Equipment Installation Supervisor for New England Telephone Company for 35 years, retiring in 1988. He was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America and American Legion Post 462. Ted enjoyed camping, sightseeing, coin collecting and took great pride in caring for his home and yard in Westfield. He played hockey in his youth and remained an avid Bruins fan for life.
Ted was predeceased by his beloved wife of 58 years, Kathleen C. (Cain) McGovern in 2014 and his brother, Thomas “Bob” McGovern. He is survived by his loving children, Beth A. Wilder and her husband Eric of Southwick, Barbara J. McGovern a traveler, and Nancy L. Genovese and her husband Daniel of Westfield, his five cherished grandchildren, Tara C. Dunne, Adam M. Wilder, Bridget A. Wilder, Abby L. Wellspeak and Molly K. Genovese and three great grandchildren, Kate C. Dunne, Leo Dunne and Paul Phillip Wellspeak IV.
Ted’s funeral will be held on Thursday, November 3, 2016 with a Funeral Home Service at 12 noon at Firtion Adams Funeral Home, 76 Broad St. Westfield, followed by Burial in the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Agawam. Visiting hours will precede the service from 10 AM-12 Noon at the funeral home. His family asks that in lieu of flowers donations in Ted’s name may be directed to Abby’s Helping Hands c/o Carol Sauerhoefer 6 Pierce Lane, Broad Brook, CT 06016, an organization dedicated to supporting families of children with special needs. www.firtionadams.com.
