White River Junction, VT - Edwin Matthew Goddard, 91, died Wednesday November 7, 2018 at Valley Terrace Assisted Living in White River Junction, VT, with family by his side. Ed will be remembered for his sweet, kind disposition, his silly sense of humor and his dedication to family.

He was born June 28, 1927 in New York, NY a son of Jacob and Anne (Dworkin) Goddard and grew up in New Rochelle, NY. He attended Lafayette College in Bethlehem, PA but his education was interrupted by World War II, during which he served in the Merchant Marines. After the war he returned to Lafayette and earned his bachelors degree in engineering before enlisting in the Coast Guard and advancing to Ensign. While at the Coast Guard Academy he met Dayle Peterson and they were married June 3, 1952. The couple lived in New York City and then in Horseheads, NY where Ed began his career at Hazel Bishop Cosmetics. The family later moved to New Jersey, first in Paramus and then to Ridgewood where they lived for nearly six decades. Ed was co-owner of General Packaging Inc., in Waldwick NJ, and then Clifton NJ, for many years, and after its sale to Caraustar continued working there until retiring at 78. The couple has resided together at Valley Terrace in White River Junction for the past year.

Ed loved spending time on the water, especially sailing. He enjoyed playing tennis and paddle tennis as a member of the Upper Ridgewood Tennis Club and attended countless New York Giants games as a season ticket holder for 40 years. He also played the saxophone and clarinet for many years and loved music, greatly enjoying attending the opera and symphony.

He leaves his wife, Dayle, of White River Junction; daughters Sharon Goddard White (David) of Cambridge, MA and Beth Long (Brett) of Quechee, VT; son David R. Goddard of Boston, MA; grandchildren Cathy (Ajay), Jessica, Nicole, Steve, Garrett (Melinda) and Jack; great grandchildren Penny and Tucker; brother Steve Goddard of San Francisco, CA and many nieces and nephews. He was also predeceased by a brother Richard Goddard.

A memorial gathering will be held at Knight Funeral Home in White River Jct, VT  at11:00 am on Sunday November 11, 2018.

Condolences to Ed's family may be made in an online guestbook at knightfuneralhomes.com.

Contributions in his memory may be made to the Social Service Association of Ridgewood, 6 Station Plaza, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 or at ssaridgewood.org.