MOULTONBOROUGH---It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Ronald “Ron” Godin, retired Deputy Fire Chief (1998) of the Methuen Massachusetts Fire Department and past 25 year resident of Moultonborough, NH.
Ron was born to the late Arlene (Nadeau) Godin and Alyre “Hank” Godin in November of 1941. He graduated from St. Augustine’s Grammar School on “Tower Hill” in Lawrence, MA, Central Catholic High School, Lawrence, MA, in 1959, and he then went on to graduate from North Shore Community College with his Associates Degree in Fire Sciences.
Ron joined the Methuen Fire Department in 1969, and was promoted through the ranks of Private, Lieutenant, and finally Deputy Fire Chief, until his retirement 1998.
During his time of service Deputy Ron and fellow fighters, then Lt Cliff Gallant and Private Scott Sullivan were awarded Fire Fighters of the Year for saving a mother and child from a burning building in “the district” and that same incident awarded these firefighters Massachusetts State recognition by then Governor Paul Cellucci (1997).
Ron and his beloved Group 4 responded to the 1995 Malden Mills Fire where he set up the Command Post and began the orchestration of attack of the massive fire. For the next 36 hours the work was relentless.
Ron absolutely loved sailing on Lake Winnipesaukee and the British Virgin Islands. He also enjoyed downhill skiing, snowmobiling, and doing commercial lobster fishing with his friends and fellow firefighter, Pete O’Loughlin. He was also a certified open ocean SCUBA diver to which he explored the Caribbean waters, New England coastline, and of course, Lake Winnipesaukee. Ron was a motorcycle enthusiast who relished the time of trips with family and friends going from Pennsylvania to Nova Scotia. His love of motorcycling was passed down to each of his children who enjoyed trips and adventures with him.
Ron is survived by his high school sweetheart to whom he has been married 60 years, Elaine (Sirois); daughter, Kelley and husband Michael Sexton; daughter in law, Kathy (McAndrew) widow of son Christopher; son, Scott and wife Christina (McAndrew); daughter, Katie and husband Matthew Donovan; and brother, Garry and wife JoAnn (Milton). Additionally he was a great Pepere to Jessica, Alex, Jannell, Mekayla, Joshua, Chelsea, Brett, Maddie, Nathaniel, and Alyra and a Grand Pepere to Myles, Luna, Ellie, and Cash. In addition to his parents, Ron was predeceased by his brother, Jerry Godin, also a retired Methuen Deputy Chief.
At Ron’s request there will be no calling hours or services. The family is asking for privacy during this time.
For those who wish, the family suggests memorial donations in Ron’s name be made to Court Appointed Special Advocates of New Hampshire, PO Box 1327, Manchester NH 03105.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services and 603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St. Laconia, NH, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit www.wilkinsonbeane.com.