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Obituaries 08-13-13

Richard Henry Goddard

ORWELL: Richard Henry Goddard, age 95, died Wednesday, August 07, 2013, at his home in Orwell.

    Mr. Goddard was born in Salisbury on June 27, 1918. He was the son of Silas and Martha (Fish) Goddard. He spent his youth in Castleton, Fair Haven and Benson. Richard graduated from Fair Haven High School, class of 1937. He spent three and a half years in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. During that time he met and married Mary Zirnig from Norden, NE. They were married in Mountain Home, Idaho on June 1, 1945. After his honorable discharge from military service he and his wife farmed in Nebraska for three years. In 1949 they moved to Vermont where they lived on The Pepper Farm in Orwell until the present. Richard was devoted to his family and enjoyed crossword puzzles and playing the family game of pinochle. He was known for his integrity, and for his exceptional memory and knowledge of people and events in the Addison and Rutland County areas.

    During his lifetime Richard served the town of Orwell as School Director for 6 years, Boy Scout Master, Zoning Administrator and was a member of the Orwell Rescue Squad. In 2009 he was named Grand Marshal of the Orwell Memorial Day Parade in recognition of his many civic contributions.

    He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Mary Goddard of Orwell, 4 children and their spouses; Ramona Akpo-Sani & her husband Pierre, Rebecca Desrocher & her husband Larry, Arlene Batschelet & her husband Rodney and William Goddard & his wife Michelle all of Orwell, his daughter-in-law; Mary Farr Goddard of Gilmanton, I.W. NH. Twelve grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, 1 great, great grandchild and many nieces and nephews also survive him. He was predeceased by his parents, a son Stephen Goddard, his brother Reginald Goddard, 2 sisters’, Christine Nowlan and Ruth Goddard, 3 great grandchildren, and a granddaughter-in-law.

    A private graveside committal service and burial took place, in the family lot, at Mountain View Cemetery in Orwell, on Friday, August 9, 2013. Family and friends shared in the ceremony.

    A public memorial service “In Celebration of His Life” will be held on Sunday, August 18, 2013, at 1 PM at the Bomoseen State Park “Pavilion”, all who can come are invited.

    Memorial gifts, in lieu of flowers, may be made, in his memory to; Smile Train, P.O. Box 96231, Washington, DC 20090-6231; or The Lund Home, P.O. Box 4009, Burlington, VT 05406.

    Arrangements are under the direction of the Mallory Funeral Home in Fair Haven.

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