GODFREY
Albert
Gunness, England - 1918
Innisfail, Alberta - 2014
Albert Godfrey passed away peacefully at the Rosefield Continuing Care Centre only 5 days short of his 96th birthday on Saturday, July 26, 2014. He was born in Gunness, Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, England, on July 31, 1918. Predeceased by his beloved wife Mary, parents Fred and Annie, brother John and wife Kathleen Godfrey; Albert's passing is mourned, but his life is remembered with love, by his nephew Jim (Gerry) Godfrey, nieces Marg (Pat) Bodnark, Barb (Dwight) Beierle, nine great nephews and nieces, and thirteen great-great nephews and nieces. As well, his memory is cherished by his step-family, Ed (Lil) Sevcik (Neil and Dale), Marie (Ken) Boot (Leslie and Diane), Irene Sevcik and their family members.
Albert came to Canada at the age of 8 with his parents and brother in the spring of 1926. They settled on the family farm in the Trenville district, east of Lousana. This would be Albert's home for the next 45 years. Upon receiving his education at the original Trenville School, Albert, like so many young men of that era, began helping on the farm. In 1942, Albert volunteered for military service and served for the next 4 years with Irish Fusiliers, an infantry regiment of the Canadian Army. He returned to the farm following his discharge in 1946 and began a farming partnership with his father and brother. In 1971, Albert sold his farm and moved to Red Deer. Here, he found employment as a custodian with the Red Deer public school division and in 1972, Albert married the love of his life and best friend Mary Sevcik. Together, they purchased a lovely home in the city and enjoyed 17 wonderful years together. In his younger years, Albert enjoyed gardening, singing, dancing, curling, and traveling. He was also a member of the Red Deer Seniors DownTown House and attended many activities at the Golden Circle. Albert sold his home and moved to St. Mary's Health Care Centre in Trochu to be nearer to his brother and family in the spring of 1998. Here, he enjoyed many wonderful years, made many good friends, one in particular, Evy Tallman, and received excellent care from the staff. From 2006 until 2013, Albert resided at Symphony, Aspen Ridge Lodge in Red Deer where once again, he experienced wonderful care and received much kindness and attention from not only the lodge staff, but from his very special friend and caregiver Michelle Payne. In these later years of life, Albert enjoyed collecting and watching movies and visiting with family and friends. A Special thank you to Edna Knights, a longtime neighbor and friend, for her many visits and delicious birthday cake which Albert so greatly enjoyed. As his health continued to decline, a move to Innisfail was necessitated. The compassion, respect and care demonstrated by the staff at Rosefield during Albert's last few months of life was so greatly appreciated by Albert and his entire family.
Goodbye dear Uncle, Grandpa and Friend.
A long life - well lived - rest in peace.
A service of remembrance to honour Albert Godfrey's life will be held at Eventide Funeral Chapel, 4820-45 Street, Red Deer, on Saturday, October 4, 2014 at 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Senior's DownTown House, Red Deer, Alberta, or to a charity of the donor's choice.
Condolences may be forwarded to the family by visiting www.eventidefuneralchapels.com.
Arrangements entrusted to
EVENTIDE FUNERAL CHAPEL
4820 - 45 Street, Red Deer. Phone (403) 347-2222