H. Nelson Goddard Jr.

CENTERVILLE — H. Nelson Goddard Jr., of Centerville, died peacefully on Friday, July 4, 2008, in Hyannis, after a long illness.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 47 years, Nancy R. (Hilliard) Goddard; two sons, Robert Goddard of Raynham and James Goddard and his wife, Laurie, of Sandwich; a daughter, Susan Nicoll, and her husband, David, of South Yarmouth; seven loving grandchildren (who will always miss their "Guppy") Ryan and Dean Goddard, Olivia, Victoria and Heather Goddard of Sandwich, and Kimberly and Julia Nicoll of South Yarmouth; and a sister, Mary Covino, and her husband, Hank, of Milford. He was predeceased by his sister, Kathleen Cann, in June. He also leaves many nieces and nephews, and his dog, Smidge.

Nelson was born in Milford on June 22, 1934, the son of the late Nelson and Mary (Fitzgerald) Goddard. He was raised in Milford and attended St. Mary's High School.

Upon graduation, he enlisted in the Navy in 1952 and served aboard the USS Naifeh during the Korean War. In 1957, he attended the Carnegie Institute in Boston to become a X-ray technician. He was a member of the American Legion Post 188 in Sandwich.

Nelson and Nancy raised their family in Plymouth. He retired from Konica Medical Corp., and several years later, retired to Centerville in 2003.

Nelson enjoyed long walks with his beloved wife, Nancy, golfing, spending time with longtime friends from Plymouth, computers, photography and most of all being with his family. Nelson will be missed dearly by his family and friends.

Visiting hours will be held in the John-Lawrence Funeral Home, 3778 Falmouth Road (Route 28), Marstons Mills, on Tuesday, July 15, from noon to 1:30 p.m., followed by a service at 1:30 p.m. Burial will follow at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Nelson's memory to The Johns Hopkins Vasculitis Center, Bayview Medical Center, 5501 Hopkins Bayview Circle, JHAAC, Room 1B 1A, Baltimore, MD 21224.