Donald Benjamin Godfrey, age 93 of Newark DE, passed away peacefully, Monday, March 31, 2025. Born in 1931, in Millsboro, DE to the late Emory Paul Godfrey and the late Adella (Della) Emily (Derrickson) Godfrey, Don grew up in Millsboro, graduating Millsboro HS in 1949 and University of Delaware in 1953 having become a Delta Tau Delta Fraternity brother.

While working for GM Finance, he married his beloved wife Marie in 1955. In 1956, he opened his independent insurance agency in Newark with State Farm, gaining professional designations LUTC (1957) and CPCU (1968), and attaining many insurance awards and honors over his 44 years in business. Don joined SAR in 1956 and started lifelong service with Brookside Lions Club in 1958 raising funds through the annual Christmas Tree Sale, BBQ Chicken and Italian Dinners to provide community assistance, especially for vision testing and Delaware Valley Eye Bank. He received many Lions Club honors and held many offices, reaching Deputy District Governor of 22D, 1979-1980.

A longtime member of Newark Country Club, Don enjoyed golfing, golf trips, and his hole-in-one in 2002. Family vacations were spent in Fenwick Island. Travels included US, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Africa, and Asia. Retirement brought monthly breakfasts with friends and Newark Senior Center membership with bridge clubs. Don enjoyed decades of UD Football, Men’s and Women’s Basketball and was benefactor in UD Delaware Diamonds Society. Don helped raise scholarship funds with his UD 50^th Class Reunion and was proud to represent his class at commencements culminating as sole representative in 2022 when President Biden was speaker.

The family thanks his wonderful care team during his recent stay at Millcroft SNF.

Don is survived by his children: Mark (Merri-Jo), David (Jie), Donna, and Nancy Godfrey; his grandchildren: Joshua, Josiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, and Elijah; as well as by nieces and cousins. In addition to his parents, Don is preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Edla Marie (Thielman) Godfrey; by siblings Elton Paul Godfrey and June (Godfrey) Parlier; by his nephew and two granddaughters.

A celebration of Donald’s life will be held at 12:00 PM on Monday, April 21, 2025, at R.T. Foard & Jones, Inc., 122 West Main Street, Newark, DE 19711, where family and friends may begin visiting at 11:00 AM. Burial will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made payable to the “Brookside Lions Club”, “St Mark’s Episcopal Church of Millsboro”, or the “UD Athletic Scholarship Fund”, and sent in care of funeral home.