Mr. David P. Govostes

December 22, 1940 - August 1, 2021

DAVID P. GOVOSTES Retired Massachusetts Commissioner for the Blind LOWELL—David P. Govostes, 80, passed away on Sunday morning, August 1, 2021 at his home, following an illness. He was the beloved husband of Mary R. (Kelley) Govostes who passed away in 2010. David was born in Winchester in 1940, a son of George P. and Ethel (O’Donnell) Govostes. David was diagnosed at a young age with a rare form of juvenile macular degeneration. His early schooling took place at the Sight Saving School in Malden. Without the technology of today, it was his mother that became a reader for both David and his older brother George, who was also blind. With his mother’s help, David had a successful educational career, ultimately graduating from Boston University. His first professional employment was with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a Social Worker. He later became a Social Worker with the Division of Public Welfare in Lowell. David married his fiancée, Mary Kelley and the couple moved to Lowell. In 1976 he accepted a job as policy writer in Boston. One year later he was offered a job as Director of Medical Assistance. With a lot of hard work and revamping, he soon became a Regional Director in Boston later advancing to the Northeastern Regional Director. In 1988 he was appointed Assistant Commissioner for the Blind under then Commissioner Charlie Crawford. Ten years later, the commissioner’s position was made available and offered to David. David was appointed by then Governor Paul Cellucci in November of 1998 to be the next Commissioner for the Blind. David served for the next seven years, under four governors, retiring in 2005. Throughout his life, David made a difference for the blind and visually impaired citizens of Massachusetts. At home in Lowell, David was very supportive of the Lowell Association for the Blind. David had a special way about him. He was honest and believable. He truly cared about the work that he did and the people it helped. His two passions in life were his adoring wife Mary and his work. He and Mary spent many years entertaining family and friends at their chalet in Sanbornville, NH. They also enjoyed traveling to the Florida Keys, especially Marathon Key and Key West. They enjoyed each other’s company, and fine dining together. David is survived by his nephews and nieces, Gregory Govostes of Lowell, Chuck Govostes and his wife Lisa of Woburn, Stephen Govostes and his wife Terry of Connecticut, Kim Doucette (late Frank Doucette) of Winchester, Mark Govostes and his wife Brenda of San Jose, CA, and Rebecca Govostes, Michael Govostes, and Jennifer Govostes, all of Nashua, NH; a sister in law, Carol Govostes. David was the brother of the late George, Charles and his wife Margaret (McHugh), John and his wife Janice (Lane), and Bruce and his wife Ann (Muraco). David also leaves his close friend, Ted Boileau and his lifelong friend, James “Skippy” Falzano. FUNERAL NOTICE GOVOSTES—IN LOWELL, AUGUST 1, 2021 AT HIS HOME, DAVID P. GOVOSTES, 80, LOVING HUSBAND OF THE LATE MARY R. GOVOSTES. FAMILY AND FRIENDS MAY CALL AT THE FAY McCABE FUNERAL HOME, 105 MOORE STREET, LOWELL ON THURSDAY FROM 4 UNTIL 8 PM. DAVID’S FUNERAL WILL BEGIN ON FRIDAY MORNING AT 9 O’CLOCK FROM THE FUNERAL HOME, FOLLOWED BY HIS FUNERAL MASS AT 10 O’CLOCK AT THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH, 144 E. MERRIMACK ST. LOWELL. BURIAL WILL FOLLOW IN ST. PATRICK’S CEMETERY, LOWELL. AS AN EXPRESSION OF SYMPATHY, DONATIONS IN DAVID’S MEMORAY MAY BE MADE TO THE LOWELL ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND, 169 MERRIMACK ST, 2ND FL., LOWELL, MA 01852. ARRANGEMENTS BY THE FAY McCABE FUNERAL DIRECTORS 978-459-9222 www.faymccabe.com