Paul Allan Godsman's Obituary
Paul Alan Godsman, 69, of Tavares, Florida beloved husband and best friend of 45 years to Diane (Desposito) Godsman, passed away peacefully surrounded by the ones he laughed with, lived for, and loved on April 24th, 2017. He was predeceased by his sister Peggy Joyce Kelley and by his parents Franklyn and Dorothy Godsman. Paul was born in Amityville, New York where he lived as a lifelong Long Islander until his retirement. He attended the Nassau County Community College of New York where he received his Associate’s Degree after returning as a wounded veteran of the United States Army Division during height of the Vietnam War. Paul worked as a flight testing engineer for Grumman for over 25 years. He had a lifelong love and appreciation for aviation and its ever developing technology; he was a proud contributor to the development of the F-14 “Tom-Cat” plane. Besides his devoted wife Diane, Paul is survived by his two daughters, April and her husband Dwight Tolliver of Florida, NY, and Bonnie and Michael Witmer of Lancaster, PA; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends that he adored. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the members of the Royal Harbor community; specifically, Patricia and Bernard Faust. The family would also like to acknowledge Linda Provenzaro, Scott of Lin Care and the numerous dedicated medical staff of Waterman Hospital. Their dedication and effort to provide quality care over the last 2 years were a heartwarming blessing to the entire family. We thank God for the gift of his life and the blessing of the time we spent with him. A gathering will be held honoring Paul on Friday, May 5th at 10:30 am at Steverson, Hamlin and Hilbish Funeral Home, 226 East Burleigh Blvd., Tavares, FL 32778 to be followed at 11:30 am with a memorial service. A military burial ceremony will directly follow the memorial service at the Bushnell National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, it was Paul’s wishes that memorial contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans Organization (www.DAV.org). Arrangements have been entrusted to Steverson, Hamlin & Hilbish Funerals and Cremations, 226 E. Burleigh Blvd., Tavares, FL 32778, (352)343-4444. Online condolences may be left on the Tribute Wall at www.steversonhamlinhilbish.com
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