John (Jon) Francis McGovern, III
Portland, ME –
John (Jon) Francis McGovern, III died on June 21, 2026, at Seaside Healthcare Community in Portland, Maine, five days prior to turning 80. Jon was born on June 26,1946 to Mary Viola LeFort McGovern and John Francis McGovern, Jr. Jon was a man of deep integrity and kindness, inquiring intelligence and a wonderful sense of wit & humor.
Since 2019 Jon made his home with his wife Lorraine Watkins Shea McGovern (Shea) in Portland, Maine. Jon grew up in Manchester, CT, Wellesley, MA and Stamford, CT. He graduated from Stamford Catholic High School where he played defensive end and was co-captain of the football team. He earned a football scholarship to Boston College. He graduated in 1968.
After college Jon traveled to Europe and Africa before attending Boston College School of Theology & Ministry (formerly Weston School of Theology) attaining a Master of Divinity in 1972.
Jon studied under Lawrence Kohlberg at Harvard Graduate School of Education attaining a graduate degree in Human Development with a specialty in Moral Development in 1978.
Jon was a member of the Matt Fox Institute of Creation Spirituality in Chicago as part of the Mundelein College Seminary Master’s Program, graduating in 1982.
Jon lived and worked in New York City until 1990 where he exhibited his stained glass and nature-centered artwork. He moved to Vermont to take a position as social worker and medical/legal guardian for the developmentally disabled and vulnerable aged with the State of Vermont. This position held great meaning for Jon and gave him deep satisfaction until he retired in 2012.
Jon married Shea in 1992. They lived together in Saxtons River, Vermont for 23 years, leaving an exceptional community of dear friends.
In retirement Jon and Shea visited Costa Rica, Brazil and Machu Pichu, Peru. Jon’s greatest pleasure was time with family and friends in Vermont, the Coast of Maine and Hilton Head, South Carolina.
Jon leaves behind his wife, Shea; sisters: Patricia, Lynn and Joan; brothers: Paul and David; and numerous deeply cherished nieces, nephews and in-laws.
Jon will be memorialized at the McGovern family reunion in Portland, ME in July of 2027. His ashes will be interred in Manchester, CT and Saxtons River, VT. Donations may be made to Hospice of Southern, ME.
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