Daniel J. McGovern

Daniel Joseph McGovern, 60, of Fort Lauderdale, FL, formerly of Enfield, CT, died peacefully on Sunday, July 16th 2023. Born in Hartford, CT on July 5th, 1963, he was the beloved son of the late Thomas and Dorothy (Holton) McGovern. Dan graduated from Enfield High School with honors in 1981. He then went on to attend Holyoke Community College. From there, he moved to Boston to pursue his goal of becoming a professional bartender. He worked throughout the '80s and '90s at Houlihan's in downtown Boston's Faneuil Hall. He then moved on to the Boston Beach Club located across the street. Dan excelled at the '80s style of flamboyant tending of bar called "flair bartending", which was an acrobatic bar-tending skill highlighted in the 80's movie Cocktail. Except for an occasional smashed beer mug, Dan shined at this art, putting on quite the show for friends and patrons.

Dan went on to become the proprietor of a restaurant-bar establishment called Yesterday's Old Tyme Tavern. It was located on Main Street in Downtown Everett, MA. Dan ran Yesterday's for almost a decade before leaving the business and becoming a dedicated, loving husband and father.

Dan was the devoted father to Daniela McGovern of Hamden CT and stepsons Bryant and Shawn Backus of Hamden, CT. Dan loved attending his children's and his nephew, Alec's, athletic events. He was a regular at their softball, basketball, baseball and soccer games, cheering excitedly from the stands. When he could not make it in person, he would make sure to catch the event online, calling after each game to congratulate them even if they lost.

Dan had a special relationship with his mother, Dorothy, assisting whenever he could as she struggled with Parkinson's disease. He would show up for his Mother with candy and a smile on this face as he helped her get ready for bed. He would sit by her side for hours until she went to sleep, only to leave and repeat this the following night.

Dan leaves behind two brothers and two sisters, his twin brother Bob and his wife Erin McGovern of Madison, CT, his brother PJ Van de Rydt and his wife Rachael of Westwood, MA, Kathleen Lawson and her husband Jim of Springfield, MA and Elizabeth DeBlieux and her husband Michael of West Hartford, CT; 9 nieces and nephews, Alec, Scott, Coralie, Matt, Christopher, Michael, Amanda, Abigail, and Jessica. Dan is also survived by his ex-wife, Paula Economopoulos.

Dan was very active in Alcoholics Anonymous for decades, attending and participating in daily meetings in the greater Hamden, CT area. He was known for putting together the weekly bonfire meetings, making sure everyone felt welcomed and that there was always enough coffee to go around.

His service will be announced at a later date.