Thomas B. Goddard

1932 - 2017

Captain USN(R) Thomas B. Goddard 1932 - 2017
MANASSAS PARK, VA/NEW HARTFORD, NY - Thomas Bohner Goddard passed away Wednesday, June 28, 2017, at Stafford Hospital in Stafford, VA. He was a decorated Navy Captain in his first career and committed to those suffering with addiction in his second calling as a professional counselor. He is now sailing with our Lord Jesus.
Tom, son of the late George & Ruth Bohner Goddard, was born on January 9, 1932, in Utica, NY. He graduated from New Hartford High School in 1949 and received his Bachelor of Science Degree from the School of Forestry at Syracuse University in 1953. Tom also has a Master of Science Degree in Business Administration with concentration in Computer Science Management from George Washington University and a Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling from Loyola University.
In 1954, Tom enlisted in the United States Navy and served at the Naval Communications Station in Morocco and Italy; Naval Schools Command Treasure Island, San Francisco; as Operations Officer at the Naval Communications Station, San Miguel Philippines; and with the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon.
Tom served aboard guided missile cruiser USS Boston, the landing ship USS Shadwell, the attack transport USS Chilton and was Commanding Officer of USS Terrell County, home-ported in Japan, and the USS Observation Island, a Polaris missile launching ship in Pearl Harbor, HI. He was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat decorations on the recommendation of the Commander of the Seventh Fleet, Navy Commendation Medal with 1 star, Navy Unit Commendation with 1 star, Meritorious Unit Commendation with 2 stars, Vietnamese Navy Distinguished Service Medal "Second Class", National Defense with 1 star, Navy Expert Pistol, Vietnam Campaign Medal with 5 stars, Vietnam Service Medal, Navy Marksmanship Ribbon (Expert), Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross) and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal.
After his retirement from the Navy, Tom taught for 18 years at Northern Virginia Community College. He effectively helped his students with challenging issues by teaching them to "figure it out" on their own with his few, but skillfully crafted words.
Tom's children were truly blessed when they would visit his hometown. Many stories were shared and many wonderful memories of those days will forever be in their hearts. He loved to golf, fish and hunt and spend time in the Adirondacks where he found tranquility and a closeness to nature. He was a lover of trees and oceans, a teller of jokes and a father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was a skilled craftsman, creating a wide range of woodworks, from a simple jewelry box to a complex puzzle. Tom always stamped his works "Hand crafted by Tom Goddard -- Shalom". We say, "Shalom Tom".
Tom is survived by his wife of 28 years, Joan H. Goddard; her seven children, Chris (Laura) Clement, Cathy (Paul) Stuart, Corrine (Rick) Daniele, Craig (Rachel) Clement, Celeste (Bruce) Weinstein, Caresse Clement, and Camille (Jim) Racer; and their twenty-four grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by his first wife, Patricia Flanagan Goddard, of Annandale, VA, and their children, Thomas (Charlie), of Afton, VA, Bret, of Manassass Park, VA, Carolyn McWilliams (Jim), of Downington, PA, and Lisa Desjardins (Jason), of Alexandria, VA; grandchildren, Kelsey McWIlliams, of Arlington, VA, Michelle and Shannon McWilliams, of Downington, PA, June DeMott, of Gainesville, VA, and Maximo Desjardins, of Alexandria, VA; great-grandchildren, Parker and Cailyn DeMott; and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his daughter, Mary Angela; a daughter-in-law, Ann Goddard; his sister and brother-in-law, Dan and Mary Ruth Goddard Callan.
A memorial service will be held at Covenant Funeral Home, 1301 Courthouse Rd., Stafford, VA, on Monday, July 10, at 9:30 a.m. Interment will follow at 11:00 a.m. at the Quantico National Cemetery in Stafford, VA.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to "Wounded Warriors Project", PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675, in memory of Thomas Goddard.