Howard Godfrey

Howard George Godfrey, 81, of St. Petersburg, FL, passed away unexpectedly on June 20, 2025 at St. Anthony's Hospital. He was born on June 14, 1944, to Harold and Myldred Godfrey in Mandeville, Jamaica. He was their only child. Howard's parents soon moved from Jamaica to Bronx New York where he grew up and graduated Aviation High school. Howard enlisted in the United States Air Force and was Honorably Discharged in 1968 and transferred to the Air Force Reserve. While enlisted he served in the Aeronautical Systems Division. He completed the Ground Radio Equipment Repairman Course at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi. During that time, Howard was flown to Vietnam to set up radio equipment for his fellow Troops during the Vietnam War.  After his military service Howard relocated to Toronto, Canada with his parents, where he met the love of his life, Veronica "Roni". On April 3, 1971, they got married. Veronica already had a young daughter, Deborah "Debbie" who Howard always thought of as his own daughter. In 1976 Howard, Veronica "Roni" and Deborah "Debbie", along with Howard's parents and Veronica's parents, moved to St. Petersburg, Florida. After 22 years of marriage, they were blessed to welcome their son, Jason Paul Godfrey. Howard was a wonderful father and grandfather. Howard was employed by Honeywell for over 20 years, the St. Petersburg Times and the St. Petersburg Police Department as their on-site IT Technician. He was also briefly employed by Pinellas County Schools before retiring. Howard was an avid bowler, loved to travel, dance to '80s music and was a great sketch artist. Howard could fix anything! He loved animals, watching movies and telling jokes. But most of all, Howard was a devoted Husband, and a great Patriot who loved his Family and his Country. Howard was adored by his family and will be greatly missed by his loving wife Veronica "Roni" Godfrey of St. Petersburg, FL, Daughter Deborah "Debbie" Bross and Son-in-law Joseph "Joey" Bross of St. Petersburg Florida, Devoted Son Jason Paul Godfrey of Wesley Chapel, FL, two Grandchildren, Brian Peak and Brielle Keller and five Great Grandchildren, Brynnen "Jake", Olive, Canyon, Phoenix and Ddraig. Howard was preceded in death by his parents, Harold Godfrey and Myldred Godfrey and his Father-in-law and Mother-in-law Alwyne and Gladys Evans. Howard's memorial service will be on Wednesday July 9, 2025. Visitation for family and friends will be at 2:00 p.m. at Anderson McQueen Funeral Home in St. Petersburg on 9th St N. Service for Howard will commence at 3:00 p.m. immediately following the visitation. Internment will take place at Bay Pines National Cemetery on July 10, 2025.