John Waters Godfree

Jack Godfree was born in Sulgrave where he lived until 1968 when he and his wife Mabs moved to Hintons Close in Helmdon. He served in the RAF for four years as a National Serviceman, spending much of the time in India and Singapore. On being demobbed he became a signalman on the Great Central Line at Woodford Halse until the line was closed, when he joined the Ministry of Defence at Bicester, rising to the post of Executive Officer. He and Mabs had two daughters, Jacqui and Janine, who live locally.

Until ill health forced him to give up playing in public, Jack was much in demand in the area as a talented self-taught pianist and used to play in local pubs and for events such as the retired people’s parties in the Reading Room. He once won “Pub Pianist of the Year”.

He was very much a family man, and his wife and children will remember him especially for his sense of humour. They would like to thank everyone for their messages of sympathy which have been a great comfort.