John H. Godfrey

John H. “Jack” Godfrey lost a brief but valiant battle with cancer at home surrounded by his family on March 12, 2021. Born in Chelsea, MA. Jack graduated from Chelsea High School and enlisted in the U.S. Army serving in Vietnam. After an honorable discharge he graduated from Boston State College. He worked for the US Postal Service from 1968 through 2020.

Jack loved sports. He played baseball, football, basketball, and softball into his 40’s. When his sons were old enough to play, he started coaching and continued well after they graduated from youth sports. He coached baseball, basketball, and soccer in Winthrop. When he wasn’t playing or coaching sports, he was watching his sons and grandsons play or traveling to watch them play. He visited many baseball fields and hockey rinks in New England and more exotic locations like California, Florida, Maryland, Nebraska, New York, Spain, and Sweden to watch his sons and grandsons play. He even left the hospital last year in time to watch a MIAA hockey tournament game.

His garden was his second passion and he was constantly adding to it. He could not drive by a nursery without purchasing another ornamental grass or shrub. There could be 20 blueberry plants in his small yard. The birds thank him.

Jack is survived by his wife of almost 50 years, Patricia (Lane) Godfrey and his two sons, Christopher J. (Jennifer) Godfrey of Rowley, MA and Daniel E.(Erin) of Winthrop, MA. and his three grandchildren, Tyler, Zachary and Amaya. He is survived by his sisters, Ellen Godfrey of Chelsea, MA, Catherine Raso of Everett, MA and MaryJane Gildea of North Andover, MA; and a large extended family including brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, many loving nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Joseph S. Godfrey and Catherine (French) Godfrey and his brothers, Joseph Godfrey of Bradford, MA and Thomas Godfrey of Chelsea, MA.

A celebration of Jack’s life will take place on Saturday, June 5, 2021 at St. Michael the Archangel Parish, St. John the Evangelist Church, 320 Winthrop Street, Winthrop, MA. Calling hours will be at the church from 10 AM until 11:30 AM. Funeral mass will follow, and burial will be in the Belle Isle section of Winthrop Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Viking Pride (vikingpride.org) or Care Dimensions Hospice, 75 Sylvan Street, Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923 or online @www.CareDimensions.org.

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