MUCH-loved Wellington resident and sportsman George Govier has died at the age of 91 after suffering from a short illness.
Mr Govier is survived by his wife of 67 years, Jackie, his two sons Andrew and Jonathan, his grandchildren, Christina, Catherine, William and Jess, and his sister Shelagh.
Born in Trull in 1933, George and his siblings were brought up primarily by their mother Esther, after the unexpected death of their father in their early childhood.
Like many others at the time, George undertook National Service in the 1950s spending time in Germany and Malaya, where he fought in one of the few successful counter-insurgency operations, the Malayan Emergency. Having been wounded in battle, Mr Govier was promoted to Corporal.
After completing his service, he returned to England to live in the south west where he met his wife Jackie. The couple lived in Taunton for a short time before moving to Wellington’s Foxdown Terrace where they remained until George’s death.
For work, Mr Govier spent many years with A J Baker’s meat processing plant near Taunton until it’s closure. He then saw out the rest his working life as a security guard at Relyon, where, his son says, he made many of his friends.
Alongside his occupation, George was a keen sportsman, playing both football and cricket for Wellington. He also played darts for many years, captaining the Barley Mow team which won several league titles and cups in the 1960s and 70s.
Later, in the 70s and early 80s, George ran the youth football team, Foxwell United, donating much of his free time to allowing local men to play the sport he loved.
A sportsman on and off the pitch, Mr Govier was a proud Chelsea Football Club supporter, who he travelled around the country to watch in-person on many occasion. He did the same for the local cricket and football teams until a month before his death.
George was also one for Wellington’s music scene and enjoyed spending his Sunday’s listening to the music in the town’s park. His love for the outdoors was undoubtable, and he spent much of his time nurturing his home garden when not on the side of a pitch.
His son, Andrew Govier said: “Dad was a real family man who always put his wife, children and grandchildren before himself. He was always there watching us play sport and was a great source of encouragement to us and many others.
“He is best summed up by a comment made by his granddaughter, Catherine’s husband, Jack who said of George ‘I’ve have never met someone so content, optimistic and genuinely happy with life - He was the true definition of a role model.’”
A funeral for George Govier will take place on March 28 at Taunton Crematorium at 2.40pm and will be followed by a celebration of his life at Wellington Football Club.
All those who knew George are invited to attend both or either of the gatherings.