H. Edwin “Ed” Godshall, Jr. passed
away at his home in Williamsburg, VA on Monday, September 2, 2013 at the age of 68.
Born in Doylestown, PA in 1944, Ed was the son
of the late H. Edwin and Phyllis A. Godshall of Lansdale, PA.
Ed is lovingly remembered by his sisters: Judith
Zlotnik (Cliff), Sandy James (Tom), a niece, three nephews, his longtime friend Bill Harris and other relatives.
He graduated from North Penn High School and
went on to earn a Bachelorís Degree in German from The College of William and Mary, a Masterís Degree in German from Temple University and a Doctorate in German Language and Literature from the University of Virginia. After several years as a full time instructor of German at colleges and universities, Ed realized his love of music, especially playing the pipe organ, also needed to be a large part of his professional life. He returned to school to earn his
Master’s Degree in Music Performance from the University of Richmond. He continued to teach German part time, but his heart was in his work as a professional pipe organist and choral director which took him to several churches throughout his career from Washington DC to Virginia.
Some of his best times were spent traveling in Europe on several pipe organ tours with other musicians. Among many others, he had the
opportunity to play an organ once played by G.F. Handel and the organ at Westminster Abbey in London. He enjoyed breeding and hand raising Cockatiels, other pet birds, traveling to the beach and gardening.
A service of remembrance will be held Saturday, September 7, at 4:30 pm at Hickory Neck Episcopal Church Toano, VA. A funeral Mass will be held at Bruton Parish Church October 26, 2013 at 10:30am.
Memorial donations may be made to the Elizabeth
Taylor Aids Foundation, 150 South Rodeo Drive, Suite 220, Beverly Hills, CA 90212.
Service
12:00 AM
Bruton Parish Episcopal Church - Directions
201 West Duke of Gloucester Street
Williamsburg, VA 23185
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