"He lived Simply so others could Simply Live..."-Rebecca GodfreyThis online memorial was created to remember my daddy, Arthur Robert Godfrey who was born in Pennsylvania on August 18, 1947 and passed away suddenly, but peacefully at his home on December 6, 2008.
Many of you attended his beautiful service and shared your memories, laughter and tears with us. I wanted to take a moment to thank you for that, but most importantly I wanted to thank you for loving him; for loving him as much as we do.
What a special, special man...we all know how proud he was of his 3 kids - I just hope he knew how proud we are of him; how proud we are to call him "Dad". I have never known, and probably never will again, anyone who found so much joy in the simplest of things, things most of us take for granted. He was never too busy to stop and smell the roses or say "hello" to his sunflower friends. It is a lesson in life that all of us, including myself, can learn from. My mother-in-law said to me recently, "Each day was like Christmas Day to him".
I hope you find comfort for your own grief while visiting this online memorial. I invite you to add your own memories, light a candle in remembrance & please add your own pictures for us all to enjoy - thank you. Also, over the next few months I will be scanning as many hard copy photos as possible to share - it will just take some time, but keep checking back.
Dad, you will remain in our lives forever through our love & memories. As your living legacy, I promise to continue to make you proud & to live each day more like you...simply & with "Christmas Day" joy. I love you & miss you so much!
Lydia (your 1st born baby girl)
SONGS PLAYING:
- Daisy a Day = my parent's wedding song - married June 10, 1973
- Home Fires = perfect representation of my dad - we grew up listening to this song
- Father and Daughter = the Father/Daughter song at my wedding
- Landslide = the Father/Daughter song at Emma's wedding
- Margaritaville = the last time dad visited James in NC, he was wearing a tacky Hawaiian shirt. James, Thea and dad kept singing this song over and over again because of the shirt and had a blast doing it!
- Lucky = a song my mom happened to hear while planning his service. She was really touched by the words, "Lucky I'm in love with my best friend" and definitely wanted it played because that's exactly what they were...
You Never
You never said I'm leaving
You never said goodbye
You were gone before I knew it,
And only God knew why
A million times I needed you,
A million times I cried
If Love alone could have saved you,
You never would have died
In Life I loved you dearly
In death I love you still
In my heart you hold a place,
That no one could ever fill
It broke my heart to lose you,
But you didn't go alone
For part of me went with you,
The day God took you home.
-Author Unknown
We miss you so much & think about you every single day! xoxo, Lydia
| Memories from Fred Marziale |
|
|
FRED WAS MY DAD'S BEST FRIEND FROM THE ORPHANAGE (Fred is the one on the far right in this picture) - WE ASKED HIM TO SHARE SOME OF HIS MEMORIES TO SHARE AT THE SERVICE. THIS IS WHAT HE WROTE:
There are so many memories of Art in the Orphange that I will keep with me the rest of my life. I still have my broken nose from where Art pushed me against a brick wall when I was around 6 or 7 years old. When I came home from the hospital I gave him a lollipop. We were always so competitive in sports. One night in the gymnasium we played one on one basket ball, and he beat him 100-98.We pushed and shoved each other the whole night, but after the game I could still Art's face, happy as a little kid that he won the game. It was funny but we always use fought each other over dumb things, but in the end we always hugged each other and said we were sorry and we wouldn't do it again, but we would be at it again. We were like brothers, basically because we had nobody close in our lives, and I feel that is what drew us close together. Arthur was always was great with kids. When we lived together in Ridley Park, It seemed all the kids in the neighborhood new Arthur. He was just a lovable person. He was always looking up at me, but I never considered myself better them him. I just loved him the way he was. I still see him driving around in that yellow chevelle he had. I still remember going to the Phillies and Flyers games with him. We just had a great time being together. We lost touch with each other once he moved to Ohio, but I can still remember the day when you and Art came to my house, it seems like it was yesterday, and when we looked at each other, all our memories came back from our past. I never saw a person more happy. Arthur was sort of the brother I never had. I have his picture on my desk at home and work. I have it there since we met each other a couple of year ago. I still remember our last telephone conversation in October. I was busting on him for supporting Obama, since I was a McCain supporter. We really had a great conversation. I will always miss Art. He will be in my heart and memory till the day I pass from this earth. Arthur was always a kid at heart, and always felt a bond with him throughout my life, even when we didn't hear or see each other very much during the last decade or two. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to express myself about Arthur.
May God Be With Him Now!
Fred
I READ THIS TODAY AND WAS DEFINITELY TOUCHED BY THE WORDS:
You can shed tears that he is gone
or you can smile because he has lived.
You can close your eyes and pray that he’ll come back
or you can open your eyes and see all he’s left.
Your heart can be empty because you can't see him
or you can be full of the love you shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember him and only that he’s gone
or you can cherish his memory and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back,
or you can do what he'd want: smile, open your eyes, and go on loving.
I finally found a photograph that sums up the rememberances that I have of your special father. We had such FUN with your dad. He brought children such JOY. (just look at the smiles on our faces) I think he truly enjoyed children (just look at the smile on his face). He was so genuine. He touched my life in a special way. He continues to with the wonderful people that I am proud to call my family.
I Have fond memories of my Uncle Art. I remember he would visit us in Media Pa. when we were kids. We looked so much forward to his visit. In fact when my Dad said Uncle Art was coming we where so excited, he was the cool Uncle. Even the last several years I looked forward to his and Auntie Rebeccas visits. Christina, Brian Jr. and Kara loved Uncle Art also, and looked forward to there visits. We lost one of our elders, but he will never be forgotten especialy by this Godfrey. Lydia thank you so much for thinking so much of your beloved Father, he was a great man and now he is a great Angel....... Much Love, Brian
| Billy McDowell |
HARE CUT |
February 24, 2009 |
WHAT A GUY,MY BROTHER AND I WAS VISITING MY SISTER CINDY SHAW AND BROTHER INLAW MIKE SHAW,I WAS FEELING ALITTLE SHAGGY WHEN MR.ART CAME OVER AND WHAT A HAIR CUT I GOT,HIGH AND TIGHT,BROTHER GOT ONE TO.THERE WHENT HIS PONY TAIL AND BEARD,DONT KNOW IF BROTHER WAS WANTING IT GONE,TO LATE.I AM VERY BLESSED TO MEET ART,WE TALKED FOR QUITE AWILE THE NIGHT BEFORE HE PASSED,ART WAS VERY HAPPY THAT I WOULD GO TO HIS WONDERFUL CHURCH,HE SAID I BEEN WAITING FOR YEARS TO HAVE SOMEONE TO EXCEPT HIS INVITE,BUT SADLY ART DIDNT MAKE THAT SUNDAY,BUT HE WAS THERE IN SPIRIT,JUST THE LITTLE TIME WE HAD VISITED I FELT THAT I KNEW HIM ALL MY LIFE,AND I HOPE THAT MY WALK OF LIFE WOULD BE LIKE ARTS,NOT GOING TO LET STRESS IN MY LIFE,LIVE FOR OUR LORD,LOVE AND HAVE TIME TO SAY HELLO TO ALL THAT CROSSES HIS PATH.ART WE ALL LOVE YOU ,AND WILL MEET AGAIN.THANK YOU ART Billy McDowell
| Michael McKay |
Memories |
February 2, 2009 |
I will miss Art's friendly presence at the family Picnics and the conversations we had there. I hold you and your mother and brother and sister in the Light of our Quaker Faith.
| Melanie |
Friend |
January 30, 2009 |
Lydia, Just reading through this memorial I am crying!! And I unfortunately never had the opportunity to meet your father but can tell how special he was from what you have written and other's responses as well. I know this is a very hard time for you and your family but know that there are sooo many people behind you and that support you. Know that you are loved and have many places to turn if needed.
I miss seeing you all the time, but look forward to the day when I start seeing you on a regular basis.
Again, this memorial is soo special and Im typing this through teary eyes without even knowing Art! What a great way to remember and honor such a great man!
| Meg Bungenstock |
Peace |
January 29, 2009 |
Lydia, this is such a beautiful tribute to your Dad. You and your family have done such a great job honoring him. I know I have mentioned it before but Art's memorial service really blew me away. So much thought had been put into the planning and all the tributes were so meaningful. Art genuinely brought joy to people's lives and it was plain to see how much he will be missed by all. I will always treasure my memories of him. I hope you, Emma, James and Becky will find comfort and peace in the days and months to come. Just knowing him has been a blessing in my life and it continues through my relationship with you, you are more like your Dad than you know.
| Rhondah (Hackney) Owings |
Always Have Fun |
January 28, 2009 |
You have done such a beautiful job giving Art a wonderful memorial here. Thanks for sharing. Art did have such a fun attitude with life. He was my only uncle that could do a back flip and a cartwheel. He knew how to play and I always thought that everyone should have that in them. Uncle Art was just plain fun. That is what I will always remember about him and those sweet soft blue eyes that laughed and danced. I am sure he is smiling down from Heaven and watching his 3 wonderful children. He has a lot to be proud of!!! Take care Lydia, Emma and James. Hold onto your special memories and your daddy will always be close to your heart!!
