Charles W. Godown Sr., 86, of West Amwell, NJ, died at home peacefully after a long fought battle with cancer on Sunday, June 2, 2024.
Born at home in West Amwell, as a young child he contracted polio but was able to beat it and walk again. He was a hard worker even as a young teen. He scrapped metal and did odd jobs for anyone to earn a dollar. He began working for Bob Larison, Plumbing and Heating, where he met the love of his life Carmella. He built his home in West Amwell by himself and when completed he married Carmella in 1960. In 1962, Charles was drafted into the U.S. Army and spent two years in Tulle, Greenland working as a plumber on base. After suffering injuries in an explosion, he returned stateside and was medically honorably discharged. He continued to work as a plumber his entire life. After working with Bob Larison, he worked for A.L. Colligan Plumbing and Heating and eventually bought the business. He ran his own business until his retirement in 2010. Charles also enjoyed deer hunting, fishing, dirt track and Nascar racing. He enjoyed going to auctions. He relished his rides on his Indian and Harley Davidson motorcycles in his spare time in his younger years.
Charles was the son of the late William and Bessie Godown. He was predeceased by his wife, Carmella; his sister, Doris Zambella; brother, William; brother, Robert; sister, Jean Hash and sister, Dorothy Hagans. He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Arthur and Patricia Godown; his son and daughter-in-law Charles Jr. and Trudy; grandchildren, Nick, Jenna and Jack; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held on Saturday, June 8, 2024 at 12:00 noon at the Van Horn-McDonough Funeral Home 21 York Street Lambertville, NJ. Calling hours will be held from 10:00 am until the start of services.
Donations in Charles’ memory can be made to the West Amwell Fire Company, 24 Mt. Airy-Village Rd., Lambertville, NJ 08530 (where Nick is a member) or the Lambertville-New Hope Ambulance and Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 237 Alexander Avenue, Lambertville, NJ 08530.
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