Wyckoff, New Jersey
A Secret Santa Revealed
On Christmas morning 1989, a struggling waitress and single mother living in a dreary basement flat in Staten Island woke up to find a set of Matchbox cars and a snowsuit on the doorstep for her son, accompanied only by a card that said: "To Eric. Love, Santa."
The woman, Susan Trainor, did not know who had left the presents. Everyone she knew denied having anything to do with them.
Then, in September 2001, she picked up a newspaper and saw a memorial notice for an old friend, Scott McGovern, written by his mother. "He had his silent charities," Ms. Trainor said she read from the notice. "He knew a woman with a toddler, and on Christmas Eve. . . ."
Ms. Trainor stopped reading and began to cry.
That was Scott M. McGovern to a T, said his wife, Jill McGovern. Mr. McGovern, 35, a trader at Euro Brokers in 2 World Trade Center, was always trying to figure out how to make someone happy.
Just before bedtime, Ms. McGovern said, her husband would pick up Alana, the older of their two daughters, wrap her in a blanket and walk out to the driveway of their house in Wyckoff, N.J. "Where are you going?" Ms. McGovern would ask them. Scott would whisper back, "We're going to wish on a star."
I was told of a man so charitable and kind hearted that died during 9/11. I read over the profile and was brought to near tears. To great sadness on this same day not but a few years ago a man of kind heart was lost and ripped of this world. You may not know me by my condolences goes out his family. I am sorry for your loss of a man so kind.
casey lowther
September 11, 2017
In Memory
With Honor & Respect.
S J. Friscia III
October 14, 2014 | Staten Island, NY
On September 11, 2014, I received a list of names during a memorial service at Jackson Christian School. Scott's name was the first name on my list. On that day during our chapel service, many of our teachers spoke of their memories of that day and 'our' world changed. We prayed for each family of the victims of that day. As I began to research to find out more about Scott, my heart was touched deeply as read of his life and character. Both the memorial here and the comments of...
Chuck Morris
September 14, 2014 | Jackson, TN
Hello - I am a musician from Washington State. Today, on the very sad 10th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy, I was a part of a performance of Mozart's Requiem. We were musicians from several different local orchestras and choirs.
Each of the performers was given a name tag to wear with a name on it of one of the people lost that day. Mine said Scott Martin McGovern. I wore it proudly in that performance and on into the evening. As I took it off my shirt I looked up Scott's name and found...
Anne Krabill
September 11, 2011 | Port Townsend, WA
Marty just came across this site. God Bless! Charlie& Maureen
Deacon Charles & Maureen Robinson
February 14, 2008 | Clayton, DE
jill,
you don't know me, but you sent me a card when my 9 year old daughter passed 5 years ago. at the time i was really shocked that you took the time to reach out to me. it meant a lot to me. coming up on the anniversary of my daughters death and of sept. 11 i just wanted to touch out to you. you are such a strong person and i believe your husband was here for a reason. why god takes the good souls and leaves behind us is a question i ask myself everyday. thanks so much for...
eileen reverand
August 16, 2007 | Demarest, NJ
In remembrance....
P Tabbernor
December 27, 2006 | Victoria, BC
As I stitched your name on the memorial that I am doing for all of the victims, I prayed for you and your family. Please know that your death was not in vain. We will always remember. God Bless.
Kristine
November 15, 2006 | Tecumseh, MI
Dear Jill,
Dave (Boo) and I think of you often and we hope that you are well. I work in Bergen County and read with interest the stories about you and the girls in the Record. We watch our wedding video (3/16/96) and we tell our kids about the man who wore the green bowtie that night. We still remember the cast-off party you had for your daughter and how proud Scott was of his family that day. We know you still make him proud. Your girls have one fantastic mom. Love, Donna and David...
Donna Shahrabani
September 11, 2006 | Livingston, NJ
