Burton McGovern

Burton McGovern of San Francisco passed away in Santa Maria, California on September (Aug) 28, 2009 after a brief illness. Born Edward Burton McGovern in Seattle, Washington, on September 14, 1920, he spent his childhood in San Leandro and his formative years in Seattle, where his family had a fish canning business. It was from this connection that he came to spend seven summers on the salmon traps in Ketchikan, Alaska, where he developed his lifelong love of fishing. Burt attended three different high schools in Seattle: O'Dea, Garfield and Seattle Prep. His only regret was that he didn't make it an even four. He went on to graduate from the University of Washington and thereafter attended Santa Clara University School of Law for two years. When Santa Clara closed due to the War, he tried to enlist in all four branches of the military but was unable to do so because of his very poor eyesight. He then transferred to the University of Washington where he was a published member of the Law Review and graduated at the top of his class. Burt was admitted to the California State Bar in 1945 and went into practice in San Francisco with his uncle Walter T. McGovern. He practiced law continually for 64 years. He always said he would practice law until the day he died, and he kept his word. Burt loved San Francisco with all his heart and was the consummate San Francisco professional. Burt married the love of his life, Lois Jeanne Johnson, on August 18, 1950, and subsequently moved to the Peninsula, where they raised three of their four children: Marie Jean, Anne Elizabeth and John Francis. Lois went to eternity on July 6, 1996. In addition to his legal practice, Burt was very active with The Good Shepherd Fund, a charitable organization providing for the needs of the mentally handicapped. In his many years of service he grew their endowment exponentially, thereby providing for his beloved daughter Catherine Joan. Burt is survived by his devoted children, Marie Coyne Sheehy, her husband Robert Sheehy, Anne Elizabeth McGovern, Catherine Joan McGovern, John Francis McGovern, and his wife, Andrea Leavitt Mc Govern. He leaves his dearly beloved brother, Walter T. McGovern of Seattle, his sister Kitty McGovern of Fresno, and his sister in law, Mary McGovern, also of Seattle; he is preceded in death by his brother, John Francis McGovern, as well as his parents, Charles Arthur and Marie Thies McGovern. He is also survived by his most loved grandsons, Ryan Patrick Coyne, Matthew McGovern Coyne, Andrew Carlin Coyne and John Edward Coyne, as well as numerous and beloved nieces, nephews and grand-nieces and nephews, and of course his many wonderful and dear friends in the City. A Rosary will be said at Crosby N. Gray Funeral Home at 2 Park Road in Burlingame at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 3, 2009, and a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Gregory's Catholic Church at 2715 Hacienda Street in San Mateo at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, September 4, 2009. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Good Shepherd Fund, 1641 North First Street, Ste. 155, San Jose, California.⁴