ALEXANDER ROBERT GODKIN

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ALEXANDER ROBERT GODKIN With love and gratitude for a long life well-lived, the family announces that Alex passed away peacefully on September 26, 2010 at 91 years of age. Alex was born on January 30, 1919 in Morden, Manitoba to Alexander and Mary Ann Godkin. He attended high school in Morden where he played trumpet in the school band and was active in sports. He studied agriculture at the University of Manitoba until 1941 when, at the age of 22, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force. After receiving training as a radar technician he was posted to England with the Royal Air Force in the spring of 1942 and joined the 119 Squadron on Coastal Command at Lough Erne, Northern Ireland. In July 1942, Alex was posted to the Middle East where he spent two and a half years in North Africa servicing airborne radar with the 107 and 111 Maintenance Units. He was then stationed to Greece for six months with the 252 Squadron. Alex returned to Canada in August 1945 and received his discharge from the military. Alex completed his studies at the University of Manitoba and in 1948 he joined the Manitoba Sugar Company as a field supervisor, serving the sugar beet growers of southern Manitoba for 34 years. On June 29, 1950, Alex and Helen married and were blessed to have 60 years together. They raised their family in Morris and other than for a short period of time have always resided in the community. He was an active member of the community having served as both a councillor and Mayor of Morris during the period 1959 to 1969. Alex was twice president of the Morris Curling Club, president of the Valley Agricultural Society (Manitoba Stampede and Exhibition) for four years, and served as both secretary and president of the Morris Red Cross Society. He served as a board member for the Morris Hospital District and was active in church affairs serving on the Board of Stewards and for many years as the Clerk of Session. Alex pursued his love for music by playing a trumpet in the Morris and Dominion City bands. Alex was a very proud supporter of the Royal Canadian Legion. A member of the Morris Legion Branch for over 50 years, he served as secretary, branch service officer and president. In 1994, he travelled to the Netherlands with other Canadian veterans to celebrate the 50th anniversary of D-Day. He was honoured when the Legion Branch presented him with the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal for his outstanding contributions to the community. Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife Helen; sons, Paul and Robert (Shirley); grandchildren, Jennifer and Daryl; and sister Jean Madder. A celebration of Alex's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 29, 2010 at the Morris United Church, Morris, MB. The family extends a special thank you to the staff at the Morris General Hospital for their compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Alex's memory to the Memorial Fund, Morris United Church, P.O. Box 90, Morris, MB R0G 1K0. Morris Funeral Home Phone 204-746-2451 Toll Free 1-866-746-2451 www.morrisfuneralhome.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 27, 2010