Papa aka "Al The Hawaii Kid", was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts to Frank McGovern and Agnes Quimby McGovern.  He graduated from Lawrence High school.

He joined the U.S. Navy, and served as a Petty Officer First Class with Amphibious forces that landed on the beachheads of Africa, Sicily, Italy and finally Normandy.  While in Northwest Africa, Mr. McGovern received a commendation from Vice Admiral H.K. Hewitt for out-standing service in the Sicily-Italy campaign.

He enlisted in "Seabees" and worked aboard LST boats.  One of the LST boats to which he was attached was torpedoed in the Mediterranean.  He and several others were lucky, as they were able to jump to safety.  They were picked up by LCI boats.

He went to England, and moved into the Cherbourg peninsula with the invasion forces on D-Day.  After several weeks on the Normandy beachhead, he returned to England and then received the gladsome orders to start home.  He was employed as a first class welder at the Portsmouth Navy Yard.

Mr. McGovern has an exceptional military background.  He also served in the U.S. Army for three years on the West Coast and in Panama.  He made a special study of mine planting, and anti-aircraft gunnery while in the Army. He also served as a Corporal in the Massachusetts National Guard.

He worked for the City of Lawrence, Massachusetts as a Health Inspector.  He loved flying, and took flying lessons at the Lawrence Municipal Airport.  He also had his flying instrument rating license.  He loved Ballroom dancing, and was proficient in professional Latin ballroom dancing.

After Mr. McGovern retired from the City of Lawrence, he moved to St. Petersburg, Florida.  For the past twenty years, he spent summers in Honolulu, Hawaii.  His friends called him, "The Hawaii Kid."
There is so much more to say about this World War II hero, who dedicated his life to the military, to his family and to his friends.

For the past several years, he would go for coffee at McDonald's every morning, where he was greeted by staff and friends. They would say, "Here Comes Papa."  He drove his car up until two weeks ago.

He will be sadly be missed by family, friends and to all who had the pleasure to know him.  His famous saying was "God Bless America."

You may also view a beautiful video of Papa's life here. God bless you.