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Theodore A. Govola

Wojciechowski Funeral Home

Obituaries | The Tube City Almanac | August 02, 2020

Theodore (“Ted”) Andrew Govola, 93, known to those that love him as The Angel Man, of Nokomis, Florida and formerly of Glassport, Pennsylvania passed away on July 28, 2020 surrounded by his family in Pittsburgh, PA due to complications from the Wuhan Coronavirus.

Visitation will be from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Wednesday, August 5, 2020 at Wojciechowski Funeral Home located at 640 Vermont Avenue, Glassport, PA 15045, with a prayer vigil to follow, and repast dinner starting at 7:00 pm at the American Legion in Glassport, PA.

Theodore was born in Monessen, PA to Michael Govola and Mary Govola (née Marchok) on October 9, 1926. He married his first wife, Laura Govola (née Kroll) on May 6, 1950 with whom he had four children. Later, he married his second wife, Flora (“Flo”) Govola (née Baron) and was married to her for 32 years before her death.

He worked for the Copperweld Corporation in Glassport, PA for over 30 years, owned and operated Deer’s Tavern in Forward Township, PA for a number of years, and worked as a data analyst for Nielsen Media Research in Oldsmar, FL for 16 years. However, his true passion was as a commercial and recreational pilot.

He was a member of The Greatest Generation and was a veteran of World War II having served as a Radar Specialist in the Navy. It was his time in the Navy during which he fell in love with flying. He carried his passion for flying through the rest of his life and enjoyed telling friends, family, and anybody else who would listen about all of his adventures including flying him and friends to multiple Super Bowls to watch his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers win several of their record six championships.

He was also involved in many charitable, religious, and veterans’ organizations including as a longtime member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Loyal Order of Moose, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans and was elected Commander of the Glassport, PA chapter of The American Legion. Late in his life, he found great joy in bringing smiles to so many people’s faces while earning his nickname of “The Angel Man” by handing out angel pins to people who were kind to him, looked like they needed a pick me up, or simply because they came across his path. These acts brought him great joy and recognition in the form of several newspaper articles in Pennsylvania and Florida.

Theodore is preceded in death by his parents, Michael and Mary, his second wife Flo, and his brother James Govola.

He is survived by his four children Janet Wertz, Michelle Madison and her husband Dennis, Ted Govola, and Gary Govola and his wife Sharon, his stepson Rick Baron, his sister Mary Giannandrea, 12 grandchildren, six great grandchildren, and many friends and associates.

Theodore’s family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the wonderful doctors, nurses, and all support staff at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Originally published August 02, 2020.

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