Emanuel Alphonso Goddard

Emanuel Alphonso Goddard was born in Colon, Republic of Panama on the Sunrise of November 6, 1936, until he was called home in the Sunset of September 5, 2024, at the age of 87. He was the sixth of eleven children born to the late Joseph N. Goddard and Victoria Goddard. He was raised in the Baptist Church and baptized alongside his brother George at Bethany Baptist Church in 1959. Emanuel attended schools in the Canal Zone, Panama and in 1961 he emigrated to the United States where he lived in New York City.

On June 20, 1970, Emanuel united in Holy Matrimony with Ena Reddie from which their daughter, Natasha was born. Their loving union lasted 54 years.

Emanuel entered the United States Air Force in 1963 as an aircraft mechanic. He proudly served his country for 27 years, including active duty deployment to the Vietnam War. Emanuel excelled during his military career, receiving numerous decorations, medals, badges, citations, and campaign ribbons, and rose to the rank of Senior Master Sergeant before retiring in 1990. After his decorated military service, Emanuel decided he was not ready to fully retire and pursued a second career working in security at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. for 18 years until he retired from there in 2008. 

Emanuel was a man of many interests. He enjoyed gardening and maintaining the perfectly cut lawn, sports, listening to music, keeping up with current events by reading his daily newspaper and watching the news, and traveling. He traveled to various parts of the world including Andorra, Canada, Egypt, England, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, and Turkey. Emanuel also enjoyed hard work and with his mechanical mind, there was not much that he could not assemble or fix. He was very handy around the house and delighted in reading instructional manuals, engaging in do-it-yourself home improvement projects, and the challenge of putting together anything with the words “some assembly required.” Emanuel was a kind and gentle person, always willing to lend a hand and help others in need. He will be remembered as a caring family man and neighbor whose influence will carry on in the lives of all who knew him. 

In addition to his parents, Emanuel was preceded in death by his brothers Joseph Jr., Leopold, Milton, and Alfred and a sister, Laura Donaldson.

Emanuel is survived by his wife, Ena; his daughter, Natasha Goddard-Cureton, grandson, Victor Cureton, Jr. and son-in-law, Victor Cureton, Sr.; brother, George; sisters, Dorothy, Elicia, Gertrude, and Amelia; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and in-laws. All of whom he leaves to cherish his memories.

Emanuel’s love will live on in our hearts. May his soul rest in peace.