Phillip Edward Godin

We are deeply saddened to share the passing of Phillip Godin, known as "Mr. Godin," on February 7, 2026. Born on October 28, 1947, in Mesa, Arizona, Phil grew up in Chandler and attended St. Mary's School before graduating from Seton High School (Class of 1965). Actively involved in basketball and football school sports and clubs, he juggled multiple jobs to fund his education, completing coursework at Mesa Community College (Class of 1967) and earning his bachelor's and master's degrees in education from Arizona State University.

On October 24, 1970, Phil married Kathleen Gleize at St. Mary's Church in Chandler. The couple began their life together in Lancaster, California, where Phil taught eighth grade at Joe Walker Middle School from 1971 to 1973. With family ties drawing them back to Arizona, Phil accepted a position with Mesa Public Schools, teaching fifth grade across several elementary schools—including Barbara Bush, Porter, Frost, Johnson, Pomeroy, and Holmes—over a 25-year career, retiring for the first time in 1998.

Phil and Kathleen made their home in several communities such as Chandler, Queen Creek, and Gilbert, Arizona. In 1980, Phil and Kathleen built a home in Queen Creek raising their daughters, embracing a simple, country lifestyle.

Phil was a devoted supporter of his daughters' and grandchildren's school, club, and community activities, coaching some of their sports teams and participating himself in recreational basketball and softball. He also mentored many future teachers and administrators within his school district. Some of Phillip's favorite things in life: visiting family, eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with milk, watching TV shows like The Andy Griffith Show, Leave It to Beaver, Westerns, college sports, and rooting for the Green Bay Packers.

After retirement, Phillip bought a hobby farm in Eddyville, Iowa, and worked for two years at William Penn University in Oskaloosa. Ultimately, his passion brought him back to Arizona, where he resumed teaching in 2000 with the Gilbert School District at Boulder Creek and Mesquite Elementary, continuing for another 16 years. Phillip dedicated his life to guiding and supporting others — not only toward success, but toward character, discipline, and compassion.

Phillip is survived by his wife of fifty-five years, Kathleen (Gleize) Godin; daughters Winde (Grant) Black, Melissa (the late Travis Hol), and Jaimie (Jeremy) Sowards; grandchildren Kaiden, Taryn, Sophie, Aubrey, Jack, and Izabelle; sisters Katherine (the late Billy Rhone) and the late Roberta Godin; sister-in-law Julie Palinsky; and nieces and nephews Kristie, Stephanie, Jason, and Jimmy. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward "Cy" and Cecilia Godin, in-laws Julien and Sophie Gleize, sister Roberta Godin, brother-in-law Billy Rhone, and son-in-law Travis Hol.

He believed in hard work, in showing up for others, and leading by example. His influence reaches far beyond our family and into the hearts of the many students, colleagues, athletes, and friends who were blessed to know him. We are grateful for every lesson, every memory, and every moment. Rest in peace. Your work here was meaningful, and your legacy will endure. Donations, flowers and plants, and condolences may be sent to Kathleen Godin.