Obituary of Richard Francis Godin

Richard Francis Godin - Richard "Dick" Godin,died Saturday, February 21, 2009 at his home. Born August 20, 1922 on the end of Tupper Lake at the American Legion Mountain Camp. He was the first son of Francis and Marion Godin, Dick was the eldest of 11 children. The family moved to the Second Street "French Village" in Tupper Lake a few years later. Dick graduated from Holy Ghost Academy. In 1943, after completing Officer Candidate School, he was commissioned as a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army and assigned to the transportation corps at Camp Anza in southern California. Following his military service Dick returned to Tupper Lake and worked for a time at local lumber mills until he found temporary employment with the Sunmount V.A. Hospital unloading railroad coal cars. He quickly worked his way up the ranks to assistant chief fiscal officer. He continued his work with the facility when it became NYS Sunmount DDSO as assistant business officer and became business officer in 1967 until his retirement in 1982. Dick was married to the former Geraldine "Jerry" Francis on June 28, 1947 at Holy Name Church. They had one son, Richard. The family was avid skiers, boaters and Dick was a member of various local hunting clubs. Both Dick and Jerry bowled and golfed for fun with friends. When they retired in the mid '80's they found their real passion, RV'ing across the continent, visiting nearly every state and Canada. He was a member of the Tupper Lake Lions Club for many years. He is survived by his wife, Jerry and son Rick and his wife, Melissa and their children Lauren and Margaux. Dick is also survived by his brothers, Charles, Jack, and James, and sister Tessy. Services will be held at St. Alphonsus church in May and burial will be in the parish cemetery with full military honors. Those wishing to make memorial contributions are asked to consider high peaks hospice. Online condolences can be made at www.stuartfortunekeoughfuneralhome.net.