Funeral and visitation services have been finalized for the retired New York Police Department sergeant from Floral Park who died suddenly during Sunday’s blizzard while preparing his parish for Sunday Mass.
Roger McGovern, 60, suffered a heart attack while shoveling snow outside Our Lady of Victory Church in Floral Park, where he regularly served as an usher. His final act — clearing pathways so parishioners could safely attend Mass — was a reflection of his kindness and lifelong commitment to helping others.
Visitation will be held at Thomas F. Dalton Funeral Homes, 29 Atlantic Ave. in Floral Park, on Wednesday, Jan. 28, from 6-9 p.m., as well as on Thursday, Jan. 29, from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.
A funeral Mass, which will be livestreamed, is scheduled for Friday at 10:15 a.m. inside Our Lady of Victory Church.
McGovern is survived by his wife, Finola, and their daughters, Ailish, Leah and Dara, as well as his parents, Michael and Philomena McGovern, and his siblings Tricia Dean (whose late husband Billy Dean died on 9/11), Kevin McGovern (and his wife Jennifer) and Kathy McGovern-Szala (and her husband Joseph).
Irish ties
Additionally, McGovern is survived by his nephews and nieces, Matthew, Larry, Michael, Caitriona, Claire, Tom, William, Colleen, Kate and Noreen, as well as his cousins in the United States, Brian, Brendan, Fiona and Ian, and in Ireland, Marion, Aidan, Paul, Ann, Audrey, Maria, Malachy, Manus, Michelle, Rosemary, and Thomas.
Friends and family are remembering and celebrating McGovern, a native of Ireland who came to the U.S. as a child, for his warmth, humility and “unwavering kindness,” as well as his habit of helping without being asked and never seeking credit.
Top: Roger McGovern of Floral Park was 60 years old (Thomas F. Dalton Funeral Homes).
