The Honorable Deacon Clement J. McGovern, Jr.

The Honorable Deacon Clement J. McGovern, Jr.

Clement J. McGovern Jr., 91, of Chadds Ford, PA, passed away peacefully on October 15, 2025, at Riddle Hospital.

Born October 9, 1934, in Chester, PA, he was the son of the late Clement J. McGovern Sr. and the late Madeline Groff McGovern. He was the beloved husband of the late Maureen Lee McGovern, with whom he shared many years of marriage, built on faith, love and devotion.

Judge McGovern was a graduate of St. James High School, St. Joseph’s University, the University of Pennsylvania Law School, and the National Judicial College.  He served the nation in the United States Air Force as a Judge Advocate General.  He served the people as Treasurer and Councilman for the City of Chester in addition to an active general practice of law, and as a professor of law. He was elected in 1973 to the court of Common Pleas in Delaware County.  He served as a Judge in Delaware County for 27 years.

Clement J. McGovern, Jr. was ordained as a permanent Deacon in the Roman Catholic Church in May 1986, where he faithfully dedicated his life as a committed servant for the Lord.  In 2003, he was awarded The Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal by Pope John Paul II. The medal is a Pontifical decoration, instituted by Leo XIII in 1888 and awarded to lay people and clerics for prolonged and exceptional service to the Church or to the Roman Pontiff.

He is survived by his children, Terrence McGovern (Candy), Tim McGovern, Clement J. McGovern III (Kathleen) and Jonathan McGovern; grandchildren, Timothy Jr., Michael, Megan, Abigail, Emily, Shannon, Kelly, Colleen, Brian, Christina and Samantha and his great-grandchildren, Matthew, McKenzie, Colin and Audrey.

He was predeceased in death by his son, Francis J. McGovern, sister Sheila and his granddaughter, Katherine Grace McGovern.

Relatives and friends are invited to his visitation on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, from 9:30 am - 10:45 am at St. Cornelius Church, 160 Ridge Rd. Chadds Ford, PA 19317; followed by his Funeral Mass at 11:00 am.

Interment will be in St. Agnes Cemetery, West Chester, PA.

Arrangements by DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc. of West Chester, PA 610-696-1181; www.DellaFH.com