Henry Godrey dies at 87 - 27 East
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News / Obituaries / Southampton Press / 1471777

Henry Godrey dies at 87

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author on Jan 13, 2010

Henry Godfrey of Manhattan and a 35-year summer resident of Westhampton Beach, died of pneumonia on December 23 at Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead. He was 87.

Mr. Godfrey was born on June 20, 1922, in Christchurch, New Zealand, but moved to Brooklyn in 1929 with his widowed mother and three older siblings.

Wounded in France during his service in the U.S. Army in France and Germany during World War II, he assisted in the reconstruction of Paris after the war.

Mr. Godfrey worked in sales and for several years operated his own business of designing and producing displays for museums and trade shows. He also worked as a docent at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

He is survived by two nieces, Ellen Godfrey of Manhattan and Naomi Godfrey of New Jersey; two nephews, Robin Godfrey of West Virginia and Eric Godfrey of Wisconsin; a cousin, Helen Silver of Yonkers; his companion and friend of 16 years, Maggie Gilliam of Westhampton Beach; and a host of great-nieces and great-nephews and other cousins.

His wife, Wilma Godfrey, and two daughters, Patricia and Jill Godfrey, predeceased him.

The family received visitors on December 31 at Gutterman-Musicant Funeral Home in Hackensack, New Jersey. Interment with military honors followed at George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus, New Jersey.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the United Cerebral Palsy Foundation, P.O. Box 18045, Hauppauge, NY 11788 or the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center, 76 Main Street, Westhampton Beach, NY 11978 would be appreciated by the family.

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