Joseph V. "Joe" Godfrey, 79, 22 Years of Service in the US Navy and enjoyed golfing

He was born August 15, 1923 in Waltham, Massachusetts. He was raised on the West Coast and has been a resident of Amherst since 1963.

He was a fighter aviator aboard US carriers and a flight instructor in the US Navy retiring after 22 years of service in 1963 as a Lt. Commander. He received the following medals during his time in the service: Distinguished Flying Cross with 2 Bronze Stars; Air Medal with 3 Bronze Stars; Commendation Ribbon Medal Pendant with Bronze "V"; Presidential Unit Citation with one Bronze Star; Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon; Good Conduct Medal with one Bronze Star; American Defense Service Medal with one Bronze Star, American Campaign Medal; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two Bronze Stars; World War II Victory Medal; Navy Occupation Service Medal; China Service Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Stars; United Nations Service Medal; and Naval Aviator's Wings.

Upon returning from the US Navy, Mr. Godfrey taught history for three years at Midview High School and finally retired from Ford Motor Company in 1979 after fifteen years. He was a member of the American Legion Post #118 and a member of the American Legion Forty and Eight; he was past sergeant of Arms and was the recipient of the Legionnaire of the Year in 2002. He was also a member of the Amherst VFW Post 1662; and the Amherst Eagles Aerie #1442. He also served on the Amherst School Board and the Amherst City Council. He was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Lorain and enjoyed golf.

Survivors include his wife of fifty-five years, Cora "Corky" Godfrey (nee Miller); his son Joseph V. Godfrey, III of Amherst; and two granddaughters. He was preceded in death by his son, Gregory Michael Godfrey on June 30, 1989; by his parents Vernon and Ann (nee Huntoon) Godfrey; and by his step brother James Godfrey in 2002.

Friends may call Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Hemple Funeral Home; 373 Cleveland Ave., Amherst. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 1:30 p.m. from funeral home. The Amherst Veterans Military Honor Guard will present military honors. The Rev. Stephen Sedgwick, pastor of the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Lorain, will officiate. Burial will be in Ridge Hill Memorial Park, South Amherst.