John J. Godfrey, 83, of Raymond, N.H. and formerly of Haverhill, husband of Patricia M. (McCarthy) Godfrey passed away Jan. 26 at Exeter Hospital surrounded by his family.
Born in Haverhill, he was the son of the late Michael and Delia (Fitzgerald) Godfrey. He was raised in Haverhill and attended St. James Grammar School and St. James High School. He then attended Northeastern University in Boston and was a graduate of the class of 1960, with a master’s. After graduation he attended Harvard Business School and received a certificate in management. Godfrey was a superintendent in labor relations at Boston Edison for many years until his retirement in 1989. He and his wife Patricia started dating in 1957 and from that time on were inseparable. Family was the center of his life as he was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. His other great love were his dogs.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Colleen M. Godfrey of Revere and Matthew J. Godfrey and his wife Tara (Kobb) of Boise, Idaho; three grandchildren, Meghan Godfrey, Connor Godfrey and Courtney Godfrey; brother Edward Godfrey and his wife Carolyn of Haverhill; and many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews and great-great nieces and nephews.He was predeceased by his son Michael P. Godfrey in 1987, his sister Theresa Wentworth and his brothers, William B., Gerald M. Godfrey and Raymond T. Godfrey.
Funeral services will be Monday, Feb. 1, at 11:30 a.m., in the Puritan Lawn Memorial Chapel, 185 Lake Street, Peabody. Burial will immediately follow in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park. Arrangements are under the direction of the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home, 486 Main St., Haverhill.