Paul Joseph McGovern passed away on June 18, 2022 at his home in Westfield, New Jersey. He was born on June 29, 1946 in Jersey City, NJ, the son of Mary and Joseph McGovern. He attended high school at St. Peter's Prep, where he played football. During this time, he met Pattie, the love of his life. They both went to St. Peter's College, and married during Pattie's senior year. They eventually resided in Westfield where they lived happily for the remainder of their 51 years of marriage and raised their four daughters: Heather, Christie, Lauren and Aubrey. He obtained his CPA, and after starting as an accountant at Arthur Andersen, Paul spent the majority of his career at Merck & Co. Inc. as Director of Accounting and then Director of Internal Audit before retiring in 1997. After retirement, he completed his studies to be a Certified Financial Planner and worked for a private financial advising company. He traveled the world through his work and on vacations with Pattie and his family - he had a passion for the Southwest and its history, and especially enjoyed hiking high desert trails and exploring ancient Native American dwellings all throughout Arizona. And he was an ardent New York Giants fan. Active in his community and a volunteer for many civic organizations, Paul was a soccer coach, a board member of the Westfield Senior Housing Corporation, Don Bosco Preparatory School in Ramsey, Axia Savings Bank in Avenel and the Westfield Historical Society, and most recently served as Treasurer of The Village at Garwood senior housing community. Many knew him from his walks in the neighborhood with his large black dogs, who were beloved companions. Church and his Irish heritage were important to Paul, and he obtained his Irish citizenship in 1995 after extensively researching his family history. Above all, Paul was devoted to his family. He cherished his partner in life, Pattie, and his family, and delighted in the time he spent with them, especially being "Pappy" to his grandchildren. He was a devoted, hardworking, loving and deeply loved family man. He is survived by his wife Pattie, and their four daughters and sons-in-law: Heather Whelan (Joe) of Westfield, NJ, Christie Hussa (Ben) of Lower Gwynedd, PA, Lauren Worgan (Bryn) of Mountainside, NJ and Aubrey Mobilia (Joe) of Yorktown Heights, NY, and 10 grandchildren: Kate, Connor, Erin, Charlie, Christopher, Elizabeth, Matthew, Thomas, Luke and Declan, sister Joan McGovern, niece Maryam McDonald, cherished friends David Hill and Vivian Morrison, and faithful dog Clancy. Paul will be honored in a celebration of life on June 22, 2022 from 6-8 pm at Dooley Colonial Funeral Home in Westfield. The funeral mass will be the following day June 23, 2022, at 10:30 am St. Helen's Roman Catholic Church of Westfield. In lieu of flowers, those interested may consider a donation to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or St. Hubert's Animal Rescue