Leslie Charles Godden

1924 - 2017  (93 years)

• Name	Leslie Charles Godden
  Born	19 May 1924	Toronto, York Co., Ontario, Canada
  Gender	Male
  Military	WW2 - RCAF
  Eby ID Number	Waterloo-192407
  Died	4 Aug 2017	Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  Buried	Parkview Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  Person ID	I192407	Generations
  Last Modified	6 Apr 2024

  
  

  Family	Joyce Wilmot Vanderheiden,   b. 1927,   d. 2012  (Age 85 years)
  Married	1947
  Last Modified	7 Apr 2024
  Family ID	F54621	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Notes

  LIFETIMES: Bell retiree adored his family and music Leslie Godden of Waterloo; Born: May 19, 1924, in Toronto; Died: Aug. 4, 2017, age-related causes When 93-year-old Leslie Godden was too frail to go to practice, band members came to his retirement residence and together they would have one heck of a jam session, to the delight of other residents. "He played in that band up until a few weeks before he died," said daughter Anne Webster. "Members would come play with him at Parkwood, sometimes there'd be five of them." Leslie played euphonium with the Grand River New Horizons Band, an organization that provides musicians of all skill levels opportunities to play together, regardless of how long it has been since they last picked up an instrument. For Leslie, his hiatus lasted about five decades, during which time he'd married Joyce Vanderheiden in 1947, raised two girls and pursued a career with Bell Canada. Leslie was in his 80s when he took up playing again, said Anne who remembers when her parents would visit her in Halifax and a concert would break out in the living room with Leslie on his brass instrument, Joyce on piano and Anne's kids on strings. Those were joyous moments for the man who adored his family and music. In fact music had been part of his life since childhood, having been raised in the Salvation Army. Leslie and his sister Kathleen were born in Toronto to a Scottish mother and English father, both who graduated from the Salvation Army Training College in London, England before immigrating to Canada following the First World War..... After Leslie graduated high school in 1941 he planned on joining the air force but until he was old enough, the lad needed a job. He found one with CN freight where he stayed until turning 18 then joined the Royal Canadian Air Force..... n 1983 Leslie retired as assistant vice-president of personnel for Ontario and the couple took advantage of their freedom. They purchased a lakefront home in Picton where Leslie took up boating though he wasn't much of a fisherman. He also played golf but had more enthusiasm than skill. The couple loved to travel and spent winters in Florida. When their rural property became too much work, they relocated to Waterloo and immediately involved themselves in this new community. And of course, Leslie bought a euphonium and joined the band. After Joyce died in 2012, Leslie lived on his own until failing health forced him to move into the retirement home. Beverley said her independent father was particularly good at staying in touch with family, partly because he was an early adopter of technology and even into his 80s and 90s, Leslie was adept on his cellphone, iPad and with email. Anne added, their dad always saw the funny side of life and his humour tended to be more dry than raucous. "He had a sense of humour and he could laugh at himself," said Beverley. "He wouldn't take himself seriously."... Hill, V. (2017). LIFETIMES: Bell retiree adored his family and music | TheRecord.com. TheRecord.com. Retrieved 13 November 2017, from https://www.therecord.com/living-story/7917544-lifetimes-bell-retiree-adored-his-family-and-music/ ____________________________ GODDEN, Leslie Charles 1924 - 2017 With sadness, the family of Les Godden announces his passing at his home at Parkwood Retirement Suites on Friday, August 4, 2017 at the age of 93. Loving husband of the late Joyce Wilmot Godden (nee Vanderheiden). Dear father of Anne Webster (William) of Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Beverley Adamson (Martin) of Cobourg, Ontario. Proud grandfather of Mark, Gregory (Heather) and Lucas Adamson and Heather and David Webster. Predeceased by his parents Charles and Margaret Godden and his sister Kathleen Davis. Born in Toronto, the son of Salvation Army Officers, Les lived in many different cities in his youth. He joined the RCAF in World War II and was posted overseas with the Mobile Radar Unit of the RAF. After the war he returned to London, Ontario where he married Joyce in 1947 and graduated from the University of Western Ontario in 1950 with a degree in Math and Physics. Les's career at Bell Canada for 32 years included 11 years as Assistant Vice-President, Labour Relations. He retired from his position as Assistant Vice-President, Personnel-Ontario Region in 1983, moving to the Bay of Quinte to enjoy life on the waterfront, and spending sunny winters in Florida. In 1998, Les and Joyce joined many friends in the Kitchener-Waterloo area, where they were active members of Trinity United Church. They enjoyed living at Waterpark Place, where Les served on the condominium board. Music was always an important part of Les's life. He was blessed with a natural gift for both vocal and instrumental music. Les joined the Kitchener-Waterloo New Horizons band, playing the euphonium, an instrument he played as a youth in Salvation Army bands. Les and Joyce loved to travel, and treated their family to trips around the world, enriching the lives of their children and grandchildren. Les and his family appreciated the caring support of Lindsay and Mary Ann, the staff at Parkwood Retirement Suites, and the many others who contributed to his care in his final years. Friends are invited to share their memories of Les with his family during memorial visitation at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo, on Thursday, August 10, 2017 from 6-8 p.m. Visitation will continue on Friday August 11, 2017 from 10 a.m. until the Memorial service at 11 a.m. in the funeral home chapel. Reception to follow. Interment will take place at Parkview Cemetery. Condolences for the family and donations to the charity of your choice may be arranged through the funeral home at www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445. Waterloo Region Record 8 Aug 2017

  
  

• Event Map

  Born - 19 May 1924 - Toronto, York Co., Ontario, Canada Died - 4 Aug 2017 - Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Buried - - Parkview Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  = Link to Google Earth