J. Gerald Godwin Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Joseph Gerald Godwin, 75, entered eternal rest to the toast of his family on Sunday. Born 26 April 1933 in Wilkes-Barre he was a son of the late Joseph A. and Esther Gallagher Godwin. A graduate of Saint Mary's High School where he was a debate champion, Jerry went on to complete his bachelors degree at the University of Notre Dame in 1954. He earned his masters degree after completing his graduate thesis, American Musical Comedy, at Purdue University in 1956. Jerry spent the major part of his career as a Director-Teacher in Educational Theater at Bloomsburg and Misericordia universities and, most notably, at King's College for nearly forty years before retiring. Throughout his career, Jerry also maintained active participation in all levels of professional theater, including voice-overs and acting in stage, film and television productions. He was proud of his roles in the ballets, Coppelia and Romeo and Juliet, and his direction of the Off-Broadway musical, Key Changes. Nevertheless he was most proud of his role as father to six children. His sharp wit and ebullient personality represented him to most. But, it was his joy of sculpting and sketching and passions of music, theater and Notre Dame Football which defined him. His brother, Hugh James Godwin died in 1999. Surviving are his wife of thirty-one years, the former Kathleen Jönsson Children, Pat and his wife, Kimberly and daughter, Avery of Indianapolis, Indiana, Kate Russell and her husband Jim and children, Janelle, Bridget, Colleen and Patrick of Asheville, North Carolina, M. Sheileen Corbett and her children, Kelly Anne and Kasey of Kingston James and his wife, Leigh of Brooklyn, New York Jack and his wife, Meaghan and children, McIntyre and Jameson of Hanover Township and Margaret Mann and her husband Michael of Brooklyn, New York sister: Sheila Berninger and her husband Oscar of Delaware several nieces, nephews and cousins, including Deborah DeBonis and Danette Richards Jerry’s family is grateful for the consideration given to them and the special care given to Jerry by the doctors, nurses and staff of Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. Jerry’s life will be celebrated in a Memorial Mass on Wednesday at 6 PM in the Chapel of Christ the King at West Jackson and North Franklin streets on the Campus of King’s College. Friends will be received in the Moreau Auditorium following the Mass. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jerry’s memory may be made to Stratford Shakespeare Festival Advancement Department, 55 Queen Street, P.O. Box 520, Stratford, Ontario, N5A 6V2, Canada or online at www.stratfordfestival.ca

J. Gerald Godwin

April 26, 1933 - February 15, 2009