Tributes have been paid to Michael McGovern, the 'face of the QMU' for more than thirty years, who has died at the age of 68.

Michael worked as a porter at the QMU and was known and loved by generations of UofG students and staff. He was still resident above the QMU building and, according to Union General Manager Bill Blackstock, was regarded very much as "the public face of the Queen Margaret Union".

Bill told MyGlasgow News: "The QMU was very much his life. He was very eager to help any student who came to him in the QMU and he was so well known by everyone. He will be very sorely missed."

Current QMU President, Priya Khindria, said: "Michael was so passionate about the QMU, its board, its staff and its members. Students come and go so frequently and Michael would always take the time to get to know anyone.

"This summer I saw students from years gone by come in to visit him. His character and his laugh made an impression on everyone and I think you can see that from the floods of tributes and messages that have been posted about him."

It's understood Michael had been on holiday in Canada when he was taken unwell. He died in hospital in Toronto.

There were floods of tributes to Michael on social media, within hours of his death being announced. University of Glasgow Rector, Aamer Anwar, was among those paying their respects.

Aamer Anwar's tribute to QMU Porter Michael McGovern

Michae's brother Patrick said: "Michael’s family are very touched and moved by  the hundreds of kind comments about Michael on social media.  We are currently organising for his body to be returned to the UK before any plans can be made for his funeral."

O‌ne of the fondest memories of Michael's many years at the QMU concerned his meeting with a rock legend. Michael had many encounters with famous bands playing at the Union. He recalled having to reprimand Nirvana vocalist Kurt Cobain for 'rolling up' on the building's stairs. His polite rebuke of "You can't really do that here" was met with a non-verbal reply!

 

First published: 28 August 2017

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