Vernon L. Goddard, 87

MOULTONBOROUGH — Vernon Lee Goddard, 87, passed away Nov. 8, 2025.

He was born in Kinnear Settlement, New Brunswick, Canada, on July 17, 1938, the son of the late Ralph Goddard and Lois Perkins Goddard. Vernon married his teenage sweetheart, Carol Smith, on July 4, 1959, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They immigrated to Waltham, Massachusetts, shortly after their marriage.

Before moving to the U.S., he was employed by Dunlop Tire Co. of Canada in Toronto. He learned the craft of hardwood floor installation and refinishing from his uncle, Roy Goddard. He carried on the family tradition when he began his own successful flooring business, Goddard Floor Specialists, Inc., in 1960. In 1989 he established Atlantis Flooring Co., relocating to Meredith.

Vernon was a member of Rotary International and served as president of the Weston Rotary Club 1978-79. He also served on several committees in the club as well as governor’s representative for District 7910. He was proud to be honored as a Paul Harris Fellow in 1998, and was a long-time member of the Meredith Rotary Club.

He embraced a sense of serving and was a volunteer in the Habitat for Humanity Program, helping build homes, schools, and an orphanage in several countries through the Jimmy Carter Initiative and Rotary International. He traveled to Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Belize and Ecuador. Throughout his life he always tried to live the Rotary motto of "Service Above Self" and was eager to help his fellow man.

His love for adventure took him to the Galapagos Island, skydiving at 60, scuba diving in Quintana Roo, exploring underwater caves in Guatemala, cliff diving in the Panama jungle, a crop-dusting flight in New Zealand and white-water rafting. He also volunteered his service at the Lakes Region Hospital.

Vernon and Carol toured every Canadian Province and numerous states in their classic 1977 GMC Motorhome, making lifelong friendships with their Nor’easter camping members as well as FMCA and GMCMI groups. He served one term as president of the GMC Nor’easters. He served as regional vice president of the Goddard Association of America and was very interested in genealogy and traveled to England with the Association on their first root search. He was a past member of the Weston, Massachusetts, United Methodist Church, serving on the Administrative Board, the Building Committee, and as a trustee.

He leaves his beloved wife, Carol, of 66 years, having met as teenagers in Toronto in 1954. He also leaves their sons, Glen (Ilisa) of Weston, Massachusetts, Lee (Susan) of Wayland, Massachusetts, and Mark (Odette) of Maynard, Massachusetts; daughter Carolyn (Jimmy) of Manchester; sister Sharon Leaman of Waltham, Massachusetts; niece Lori (Jim) Kearney, nephew Chris (Dawn) Leaman, and many cousins in Canada. His 10 grandchildren were the joy of his life: Ross, Jesse, Michael, Robert (Catherine), James, Kirk (Keren), Paulette and Martin Goddard and Matthew and Mikaela Szekely.

At Vernon’s request there will be no visitation, and burial will be private. A celebration of life will be held at a later date to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in memory of Vernon to Habitat for Humanity, Rotary International, or your charity of choice.

Arrangements are under the care of Mayhew Funeral Homes and Crematorium. To sign the online book of memories, visit mayhewfuneralhomes.com.