Obituary for Robert Godfrey
Robert Godfrey, 96, of West Long Branch, passed away on Thursday, January 14, 2021.
He was born in Manhattan and lived in Manalapan before moving to West Long Branch 30 years ago.
He was a comptroller for Pilgrim Insurance Company in Princeton before retiring, He then became a consultant.
Robert was drafted into the Infantry during World War II, did his Basic Training at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas, in 1944, before being assigned to the 106th Infantry Division- the Golden Lions. He did additional training in England before crossing into Belgium on December 10th, 1944 – his 20th birthday. The division was attacked on December 16th and Robert was taken POW sometime between the 16th and the 19th during the Battle of the Bulge. He chose not to talk about his experiences for decades. Once he saw a fellow veteran wearing the Golden Lion patch at the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY, he joined a group of fellow Battle of the Bulge veterans. Thus, began a journey of opening up about those horrors with his family – to which we are forever grateful.
He was predeceased by his wife of 65 years this past September, Liliana Godfrey and his parents, Max and Rose Gottfried.
Surviving are his children, Maurice Godfrey (Matilde), Richard Godfrey (Cindy Sharp), Carol Godfrey (Michael Clementoni) and Laura Corbett (Tom); sister, Carol Freidus and 8 grandchildren, Monica, Max, Alessandro, Matthew, Guillermo, Victoria, Lexi and Ally.
Funeral services are private and he will be laid to rest with his wife at Brig. General William C. Doyle Veterans Cemetery in Arneytown with military honors. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Wounded Warrior , P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516. Online condolences may be expressed through www.fiorefuneralhomes.com.
He was born in Manhattan and lived in Manalapan before moving to West Long Branch 30 years ago.
He was a comptroller for Pilgrim Insurance Company in Princeton before retiring, He then became a consultant.
Robert was drafted into the Infantry during World War II, did his Basic Training at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas, in 1944, before being assigned to the 106th Infantry Division- the Golden Lions. He did additional training in England before crossing into Belgium on December 10th, 1944 – his 20th birthday. The division was attacked on December 16th and Robert was taken POW sometime between the 16th and the 19th during the Battle of the Bulge. He chose not to talk about his experiences for decades. Once he saw a fellow veteran wearing the Golden Lion patch at the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY, he joined a group of fellow Battle of the Bulge veterans. Thus, began a journey of opening up about those horrors with his family – to which we are forever grateful.
He was predeceased by his wife of 65 years this past September, Liliana Godfrey and his parents, Max and Rose Gottfried.
Surviving are his children, Maurice Godfrey (Matilde), Richard Godfrey (Cindy Sharp), Carol Godfrey (Michael Clementoni) and Laura Corbett (Tom); sister, Carol Freidus and 8 grandchildren, Monica, Max, Alessandro, Matthew, Guillermo, Victoria, Lexi and Ally.
Funeral services are private and he will be laid to rest with his wife at Brig. General William C. Doyle Veterans Cemetery in Arneytown with military honors. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Wounded Warrior , P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516. Online condolences may be expressed through www.fiorefuneralhomes.com.