Lawrence J. Govoni, a long-time resident of Boston's South End, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, April 1st at the age of 83 with his family by his side.  Larry was the devoted and loving partner of John Laracy for 39 years.

Born in August, 1939 in Brockton, MA to Lucy (DelSordo) and Louis Govoni, Larry had a life-long passion for flying that started as a child with weekend airplane rides at his uncle's flying school in Easton, MA.  Larry graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 1961 with a commission in the United State Air Force and degree in mechanical engineering.  He served in the United States Air Force from 1962 to 1967 as a C-130 pilot and was awarded two Air Medals and the Vietnam Service Medal.  After his release from active duty, Larry flew for Pan American Airlines where he enjoyed a distinguished career and retired in 1991 when Pan Am ceased operations. Larry was also an avid sailor and owned several sailboats throughout the years.  He enjoyed taking family and friends sailing around Boston Harbor and the islands. Larry shared his love of sailing with the Boston community by teaching the basics of sailing to students at Piers Park Sailing Center and was always rewarded with smiles and laughter.  Larry also served as Commodore of the Yankee Cruising Club, a sailing organization to bring LGBTQ boaters together to meet, make friends and get out on the water.  Larry was a life long advocate of physical health training and life-long member of the local YMCA, where he regularly taught exercise classes and instructed members on proper exercising technique and use of equipment since he retired in 1991.

Larry leaves his partner John and his sister Eleanor (Govoni) Dugre of South Hadley, MA. Larry lived a full life of love, successes, extensive world travel and love for family.  Larry was a loved and doting uncle to his two nieces, Laurel Dugre and Alecia Pettengill (Michael) both of South Hadley, MA and his nephew Christopher Dugre (Amy) of Monson, MA.  Larry enjoyed backyard family get-togethers, holiday celebrations, and family vacations with John, his sister Eleanor, nieces and nephew, and grandniece and nephews.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend calling hours from 2:00PM to 3:00PM at the Robert J. Lawler and Crosby Funeral Home at 1803 Centre Street in West Roxbury, MA, on Saturday April 8, 2023, followed by a gathering at West on Centre restaurant at 1732 Centre Street, West Roxbury from 3PM to 5PM immediately following the service. Graveside services with military honors will be held at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, MA on Friday, April 28, at 1:15 pm. In lieu of flowers, tribute gifts in his name may be made to the Parkinson's Foundation @parkinson.org.

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