Richard P. Godek

HOLDEN – Richard P. Godek, Jr., 37 died unexpectedly on the 8th of June 2016 following several years of failing health. He was born in Worcester before moving to Holden more than 30 years ago. Richie grew up playing in the neighborhood and on the baseball fields of West Boylston and Holden, where he joined friends as a member of several winning teams. He graduated from Wachusett Regional High School and attended Quinsigamond Community College. As Richie was entering his teenage years, he experienced the devastating loss of his mother, Gail (Mastromatteo) Godek. Richie enjoyed keeping his mother’s memory and presence alive by reminiscing through retelling of family stories and of his shared memories as well as numerous family photos. He enjoyed New England sports teams, especially the Patriots, but everyone forgave him for his obsession with the New York Yankees. Richie truly had a simple soul and always found the positive in the simple things of life, spending time with family and friends while they enjoyed a backyard pool swim or barbeque to share a “well” cooked burger or steak, a wiffle ball game, or playing his favorite competitive sport, Corn hole, often referring to himself as a champion player. He spent countless hours searching for that elusive bargain at yard sales and flea markets. He also found joy in spending time out in nature while camping, boating, fishing and spending times on the beaches of Hampton Beach, Cape Cod and the Maine coast. A more loyal friend could not be found and he truly lived his life as the cliché guy who would give you the shirt off his back, especially the one he recently found at a sale. Richie’s sudden loss leaves his family and friends with broken hearts that will not be easily healed. He will be forever missed by his beloved father, Richard P. Godek, Sr. with whom he lived; his two cherished sisters, Gina M. Metterville and her husband, Joseph and their two children, Valerie and Timothy and Tara A. Godek and her fiancé, Brian Haigwood; his maternal grandmother, Ann M. Godek of Holden, whom Richie adored; his dearest friend who has been Richie’s earthly guardian angel for years, Sarah Youngstrom of Holden; aunts, uncles, cousins and countless devoted friends. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Richie’s family on Sunday, June 12th , from 2-5 p.m. at Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden. His funeral will be held on Monday, June 13th, with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10 a.m. at St. George Church, 38 Brattle Street, Worcester. Burial will follow in Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester. Memorial donations may be made on Richie’s behalf to the American Heart Association, 300 Fifth Avenue, Suite 6, Waltham, MA 02451 or the MSPCA, 350 South Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02130. To share a memory or leave an online condolence for the family, please visit www.milesfuneralhome.com