Joseph Robert Godzik

GODZIK, Joseph - Age 88, of Scituate, passed away on May 11, 2024. Born in Pittsburgh, PA on March 21, 1936, he was the only child of the late Joseph and Katherina (Fehl) Godzik and loving husband of the late Betsy Powers Godzik of Worcester, MA. He was the cherished father of Joseph Powers Godzik, his wife Hiromi Godzik, Lynn Wiltfong, her husband Robert Wiltfong, Brian Godzik, his wife Jennifer Clarke Godzik and Katherine Gudgel. He is survived by grandchildren Kelly Godzik, Kevin Godzik, Katherine Lord, her husband Tom Lord, Gregory Fenton, Ian Godzik, Tiernan Godzik, Eamon Godzik, Faith Gudgel, Lili Gudgel and great grandchildren Kennedy, Isaiah and Reagan Lord.

Joseph Godzik dedicated more than six decades to his family, his country, his community and his profession. Dr. Godzik earned his V.M.D (Veterinariae Medicinae Doctoris) from the University of Pennsylvania in 1961 and his master’s degree in Infectious Disease and Public Health from Kansas State University in 1970. He was commissioned in the US Army’s Veterinary Corps in 1961 and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1982 after 21 years of service, including tours of duty in France, Belgium, and Vietnam. After retiring from the Army, Dr. Godzik provided 19 years of skilled and dedicated service to the Town of Cohasset as their Health Agent.

Dr. Godzik was an active volunteer and held various leadership positions in local organizations, including serving on the board of directors for the American Lung Association of Massachusetts and the President of the American Lung Association of Greater Norfolk County where he was honored with their leadership award in 1992. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Scituate VFW, taught youth catechism, and he and his wife Betsy provided guidance to engaged couples at St. Mary of the Nativity Parish in Scituate. He remained a lector and Eucharistic minister there until the COVID pandemic. He was a patron of the Boston Ballet and an officer of the Friends of Scituate Seniors (FOSS), working for years to establish the new Scituate Senior Center. He leaves a legacy of service, honor and kindness to the South Shore community.

A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday May 21, 2024 at 11:00am at St. Mary of the Nativity Church, 1 Kent Street, Scituate MA, 02066. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Catholic Charities of Boston at CCAB.org or Oxfam at oxfamamerica.org.