Blaise Adam McGovern

It was love at first sight. When I saw Blaise Adam McGovern walk into the West Valley Animal Care Center four years ago, I knew that he was the one for me. From the day we first met until my 36 year old guy went home to be with his mom Kathy and grandma Margaret on Saturday, November 28, I was blessed to be his therapy girl. When this native Pittsburgher got a little too anxious or jittery I was there give him a little nose nudge, an overly dramatic set of puppy dog eyes, or my best tongue bath to take his focus away from whatever was bothering him and put it back where it belonged – on me, of course!  I often heard him talking to the old guy living with us, Chuck, about things like his time serving in the Navy, graduating from Flight Safety School, working as a pilot with Jet Blue and as a ramp supervisor with Southwest Airlines. I was impressed with his desire to share his customer service skills with health insurance companies like Aetna and Centene; medical supply companies like Apria; and my favorite – GrubHub. Things weren’t always easy for Blaise.  He had the biggest heart and kindest soul of anyone I’ve ever met.  He talked to me about some of the people he shared his heart with – like Marc and his family.  He always said they were the best – the big family he never had as kid.  I often let him scratch behind my ears to help him get through memories about the bad times. He decided that he wanted to take his personal experiences and help other abuse survivors by pursuing a degree in Abuse Counseling from Rio Salado College here in Phoenix, AZ. I know that he loved his trips home and the time he spent with Aunt Margie, Mara, Aunt Colleen, all the other McGoverns, and grandma Nancy in Ohio.  I suppose if Blaise isn’t going to be here, at least I’ll have Chuck here for me to take care of.  I know he needs me. He’s so sad to be without Blaise after all this time. I’ve got my work cut out for me because I’ve never seen two people care more about each other or survive more obstacles together like they did.  I agree with what I heard him say yesterday, “If someone met Blaise, they knew he was special. If they called him friend, they were blessed.”  Rest in peace, my human friend, because you’re going to need it when we meet again.

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Blaise Adam McGovern, 36, of Phoenix, AZ died in his sleep on Saturday, November 28, 2020.  Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, he was preceded in death by his mother Kathy and grandmother Margaret.  A graduate of Carrick High School and Flight Safety School, this Navy veteran had recently returned to school and was studying to be an Abuse Counselor at Rio Salado College, determined to convert the experiences of the last few years into something positive. He believed that he could help others suffering from physical, emotional, or psychological trauma. During Blaise’s short life, he was blessed to have met Marc and become part of his family in New Jersey. Being an only child, every day was an adventure in New Jersey and held them close to his heart until his death. Fate dealt Blaise and his life travel partner, Charles, a sometimes difficult hand that included illness, unemployment, and homelessness but they both believed that these experiences were necessary to better understand and interact with the world around them.  Blaise is survived by his family in Pittsburgh – Aunt Margie, Mara, Aunt Colleen, and other McGoverns, grandma Nancy in Ohio, and finally Charles and his beloved Bella in Phoenix.

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There will be an online Celebration of Life in the near future, coordinated with the Metropolitan Community Church of Phoenix.  More information will be available on their website in the coming week at www.mymccphx.com.  Blaise’s final resting place will be with his mother and grandmother in Pittsburgh at a future date when COVID restrictions on travel are lifted