Joseph Patrick McGovern II Of Hampton Bays Dies September 10

Joseph Patrick McGovern II of Hampton Bays died on September 10. He was 78.

Mr. McGovern was born in The Bronx on October 6, 1941. He graduated from Cardinal Hayes High School and joined the United States Army. He worked for Morgan Guaranty Trust Company (JP Morgan Chase) in Manhattan before moving to Hampton Bays in the early 1990s.

He went on to work for Okeanos Ocean Research Foundation, The Bathing Corporation of Southampton and the Town of Southampton in the tax receiver’s office. He was a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Michael Collins, Division 11 and relished his time spent helping coach Hampton Bays Little League Softball, according to his family.

Mr. McGovern was a simple man with simple taste, his family said, noting that those who knew him knew he loved his animals, listening to Neil Diamond, his Ford Ranger pickup truck, a good book and a cup of coffee, light and sweet. He required nothing more to be happy, they said, and often asked “Who’s got it better than me?” Mr. McGovern’s outlook on life, his family said, could be summed up with lyrics from one of his favorite Neil Diamond songs, “Money talks, but it don’t sing and dance and it don’t walk, And long as I can have you here with me, I’d much rather be forever in blue jeans.”

He is survived by his wife, Patricia; their daughter Virginia; his daughters Eileen Raymond and Kathleen Starace; his sons Joseph P. McGovern III and Daniel McGovern; his sisters Margaret Mary Rizzitello and Patricia Hruby; 11 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Mr. McGovern also leaves behind enumerable friends who have become family over the years.

A celebration of life will be held in the future. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Southampton Town Animal Shelter, 102 Old Riverhead Rd. West, Hampton Bays, NY 11946.