Bret Patrick McGovern

MOUNT VERNON – Bret McGovern, 42, died at home in Mount Vernon on May 12, 2026, after a six-year battle with pancreatic illness and cancer.

Born in Skowhegan, Bret spent his entire childhood in Mount Vernon. As a kid, Bret loved anything to do with water. He especially enjoyed summers at home on Long Pond, and the family’s annual trips to Old Orchard Beach, where he would spend hours in the ocean. However, Bret’s true love was the snow which, as he pointed out, is really just frozen water. His parents had him on the slopes of Sugarloaf almost as soon as he could walk. In 1996, a rebellious Bret broke from family skiing tradition and embraced the wild world of snowboarding. Once on a board, he never looked back, and was a diehard rider until his illness forced him to stop.

Bret attended Maranacook Community School. It was at Maranacook that Bret discovered another great love, football. At 6’8″ with a solid lineman’s build, Bret inspired much fear in smaller opposing players who, as often as not, asked him not to hurt them. Bret was chosen to play in the 2002 Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl Classic the summer after his senior year. He went on to play at Plymouth State University before an injury forced him to stop. He graduated from PSU in 2007 with a degree in philosophy and creative writing. He liked to joke that it was perfect training for his subsequent employment as a bartender and bouncer.

However, the water wasn’t done with Bret. He returned to college at Maine Maritime Academy where in 2017 he earned a second bachelor’s degree in Vessel Operations and Technology. Bret had just settled into what looked to be a long and lucrative career in the maritime tugboat industry when he became ill.

He was predeceased by his father, Terrence McGovern Jr., and both his maternal and paternal grandparents. He is survived by his mother, Penny McGovern and stepmother Teresa Smith, of Mount Vernon; his brother, Terrence McGovern III and niece (and birthday twin), Noa, of Waterville; his uncle and aunt, William and Norma Breton, of Fort Kent; and his fur-son, Buster, a dog like no other.

Known as “Big Country” to his friends, Bret asked that a huge shout out be given to his special friends: Abe Zacharias, Sean Daigle, Corey LaForge, and Jeff Fraser. He appreciated your frequent visits during his illness, and enjoyed rehashing all the great concert and Sugarloaf memories that you made together.

A celebration of Bret’s life will take place on June 13, from 1-4 p.m. at The Sugarbowl (1242 Carrabassett Drive) in Carrabassett Valley.

The family extends a special thank you to Dr. Lisa Rutstein of CMMC whose skillful treatment of Bret early in his illness allowed us several more years with him. Heartfelt thanks also go out to the MaineGeneral Hospice staff and volunteers who made it possible for Bret to be home until the end.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made to your local hospice services or the Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care in Bret’s name