Anthony Edward "Tony" Goddard's Obituary
Anthony Edward “Tony” Goddard, died on Tuesday, January 10, 2017 after a long illness. He was born on January 25, 1925 to the late Edward Victor Goddard and Olive Betambeau Goddard of London, England.
Tony was educated at Hodder Place in England and Stonyhurst College in England and at the Escuala Polyistano in San Paulo, Brazil where he lived briefly during and after WWII. He later represented British farming corporations in Brazil, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, before coming to Culpeper in 1956 where he bought Quaint Acres Farm. For forty seven years he operated first a sheep, and then a beef cattle business at Quaint Acres. He was active in various farm organizations.
Tony was an avid sailor as a young man and crewed ocean going yachts in races down the coast of South America. He was a member of the Sea Scouts as a teenager and while awaiting transport out of England was on the southern coast of England where he made a contribution as the British Soldiers were evacuated from Dunkirk. As required by the British government, Tony and his sister were among the young people with relatives outside of the country who were evacuated early in the war. He and his sister were sent back to Brazil on a convoy that escaped the German bombing. The convoy before theirs and the one after theirs were bombed out. On that fateful trip the older children took turns standing watch for German U-Boats.
After graduation, Tony worked briefly with his father in the development of commercial airline flight in South America. Howard Hughes was a business partner in that venture and once while dining with the Goddards received a call telling him that alcohol service had just been approved on commercial flights in America. Hughes was heard to opine that commercial flight was now assured.
Tony soon sought a more active lifestyle and enjoyed travel and his many adventures living in the Matto Grasso of Brazil and the Northern Territory of Australia where he worked with the indigenous people and learned to appreciate their cultures. His travels in later life included Yugoslavia just six months before the war that divided that country as well as North Africa where he experienced Arab culture before it became central to world events in the early 21st century. He loved reading, and enjoyed the rural lifestyle. He retained an interest in animal husbandry all of his life. His patience and appreciation endeared him to young children as well as the adults with whom he came in contact in daily life.
Survivors include his devoted wife, Frances Byrd of the home; and beloved daughter, Caroline Goddard of Fredericksburg, VA. Other survivors include a sister, Pauline Jewett of Greenwich, CT and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to express special thanks to the engineers of TEC, LLC, whom Tony dubbed his “Angels” and who helped so much when he became infirm. Deepest thanks to Sidney, Ronnie, Jerry, Jim and Marion for all they did to help him while at the same preserving his dignity during a difficult time. Sincere thanks to William Noakes and Henrietta Robinson for their willingness to help in many different ways and their constant kindness.
Also deepest thanks to Dr. David Aller who went far beyond the expected in monitoring the complexities of both Tony’s diagnosis and his multiple medications. Dr. Aller’s support to the family remains without parallel.
The family will be holding a private memorial service.
Inurnment will be held on Saturday, May 13, 2017 at 2 p.m. at Culpeper Masonic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his name to the Salem Volunteer Fire & Rescue Squad, PO Box 1254, Culpeper, VA 22701.
Found and Sons Funeral Chapel of Culpeper is serving the family.
What’s your fondest memory of Anthony?
What’s a lesson you learned from Anthony?
Share a story where Anthony's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Anthony you’ll never forget.
How did Anthony make you smile?