Dave Godfrey

Dave Donald Godfrey, 84, former Aberdeen resident, died Monday, July 17, 2023 at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia, WA.

Dave was born on September 23, 1938 in Pe Ell, WA to Herbert Boyd and Theresa (Novak) Godfrey. His family moved to Aberdeen when he was 8, where he attended local schools and graduated from Weatherwax in 1958 a very proud Bobcat. He then attended trade school in Tacoma for Carpentry, from which he launched a 40+ year career as a respected union carpenter. He worked for several local contractors, spending the last 15 years of his work life with Rognlins, a company with which he was proud to be associated. Dave worked on many large construction projects and was well respected in the industry as a top-flight, hard-working and fearless carpenter, often taking on risky tasks passed upon by others. He was the man walking the edge of a high bridge, hanging on a rope inside a tall smokestack or fastening a bolt on framing many stories high. His family is proud of the many buildings, bridges and highway overpasses he helped build, and they will always think of him whenever they cross or pass under the (new) I-90 bridge in Seattle.

On May 6, 1961, Dave married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Josephine Zawislak, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, and together they made their home in Central Park and soon thereafter in the Wishkah Valley, where they raised their daughters Linda and Carmen. In 1988, the couple moved to their home on Totten Inlet near Shelton, where they enjoyed retirement on the Sound before recently moving to Tumwater.

Dave was well known for his big laugh and gregarious nature and led a very active life. He was a member of the Polish Club and the Aberdeen Eagles; and he was a respected and talented hunter, with his highlight achievement a record setting 7x7 antlered Roosevelt Elk that is still listed in the Boone and Crockett record book. Dave also enjoyed competitive bowling and horseshoes, the latter of which he shared with his father, Herb, while attending many regional tournaments together. One of Dave’s later passions was his secret blackberry patch, which he tapped for buckets and buckets of berries for pies that Dorothy would make for the family. He steadfastly kept the location under wraps for years until, finally, he took his daughter, Carmen, and her husband to see it last year. He also enjoyed traveling to watch and follow his granddaughters and the children of other family members engage in their various activities, and he was very proud of them all.

Dave is survived by his wife of 62 years, Dorothy Godfrey of Tumwater, WA, his two daughters, Linda (Chris) Gulick of Seattle, WA and Carmen (J.J.) Quintana of Seattle, WA, three granddaughters, Alicia (Carson) Massey of Seattle, WA, Allison Quintana of Boston, Ma and Catherine Quintana of Rochester, NY, a great grandson, Mason Grant Massey, a brother, Herb (Sharon) Godfrey of Grayland, WA, and sisters Betty (Tony) Meyers of Aberdeen and Judy (Keith) Folkers of Hoquiam. Dave was preceded in death by his parents, Herb and Theresa, his nephew, Kurt Godfrey, and his brother-in-law, Keith Folkers.

Arrangements are entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen, WA.

Visitation and viewing: Tuesday, August 1st, 9AM to 5 PM; Wednesday, August 2nd, from 9 AM to 1 PM. At Fern Hill Funeral Home.

Funeral Service: Wednesday, August 2nd, at 1:00 PM. At Fern Hill Funeral Home. Interment to follow at Fern Hill Cemetery.

Celebration of Life: St. Mary’s Parish Hall in Aberdeen following funeral service. Friends and family are welcome. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dave Godfrey, please visit our flower store.