Martin Joseph Godfrey

Marty Godfrey’s life was defined by service: service to his country, service to his community, service to his family and most importantly service to Jesus Christ.

Martin “Marty” was born in New York’s Bronx borough on February 9, 1942, to Martin Joseph Godfrey Sr and Kathleen McGeeney Godfrey, both Irish immigrants. Marty was the second of the Godfrey family’s children and remained close throughout his life to his slightly older sister, Margaret “Peggy” Zell.

The Godfrey family were part of a tight-knit Irish community in a working-class neighborhood of New York.

Shortly after his graduation from Manhattan College, Marty joined the Air Force and trained at James Connally Air Force Base in Waco, TX. During his training, he was talked into attending a local dance by a friend, where he met Patricia “Patty” Miller, who would become his wife of 60 years.

During his service in the Air Force, Marty navigated supply missions into Vietnam. His time on the ground, and exposure to agent orange, would result in life-long physical ailments that would define the challenges of his senior years.

Marty continued his service to his country with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as a Special Agent. He successfully investigated many crimes including bank robbery, bank and insurance fraud and illegal drug trafficking.

Marty and Patty have three children and six grandchildren: Stephen and his wife Terry and their children Brigid and Kieran, daughter Lisa and her husband Michael and their children Sydney and Jacob, Bryan and his wife Amy and their children Mason and Logan. Marty cherished his family and valued every moment spent with his children and grandchildren. It was important for him to be there through life’s milestones and significant moments.

After retirement, Marty and Patty bought a home near fourth-crossing on the Guadalupe River in Comal County, Texas. They soon fell in love with the river, community, and the Texas Hill Country. Always a lover of the natural world, Marty became a Comal County Master Gardener and remains an emeritus Master Gardener.

Both Marty and Patty are very dedicated to the preservation of New Braunfels and Canyon Lake. They diligently fought to preserve River Road when a development proposal would have blasted through cliffs at second-crossing to build a multi-lane freeway. Fortunately, their efforts were successful, and River Road is still the same as it was when they moved to the area.

Marty and Patty have been long-time and active parishioners of St Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church where Marty was a dedicated member of the Knights of Columbus.

Marty loved to laugh, have a cold beer, make conversation with a stranger and welcome anyone who needed a soft place to land.

Marty Godfrey, friend to all, will forever be in our hearts and missed beyond words.