Richard Francis "Dick" Godbout

Richard “Dick” Godbout, a proud U.S. Air Force veteran, devoted family man, and beloved member of the Ridgefield community, passed away peacefully on June 14, 2025, at Maplewood Stony Hill in Bethel, CT. He was 91 years old.

Born and raised in Hartford, Connecticut, Dick graduated from high school during the Korean War era and soon after enlisted in the United States Air Force. He was assigned to the 365th Bombardment Squadron under the Strategic Air Command (SAC), where he served as an Inflight Technician aboard B-47 Stratojets. He specialized in maintaining the K-bomb navigation system—a critical component ensuring aircraft were always combat-ready. His service took him to air bases around the world, including England, Spain, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Japan, and Greenland. He completed his military service with honor, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant.

Upon returning home, Dick joined the family business, Bell Simons Companies—a small wholesale heating and air conditioning operation at the time—as an outside sales representative. He played a key role in the company’s tremendous growth, helping it expand from five stores to more than thirty locations across the Northeast. He proudly opened the Stamford, CT branch himself, which led to his move to Ridgefield in 1962—a town he quickly fell in love with and would call home for more than 63 years.

It was in Connecticut that Dick met the love of his life, Evelyn, at a local dance. They married a year and a half later and built a beautiful life together, raising five children: Kimberly, Richard, Steven, Don, and Michelle. Dick was also a proud grandfather to nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren—all of whom lived nearby and were a constant source of joy.

Known affectionately as “Moose” by friends and family, his signature phrase—“Moose is on the loose!”—captured his humor and zest for life. An avid skier, Dick famously hit the slopes at Killington, Vermont, on his 90th birthday, proudly wearing his “90+” badge while skiing with sons Steven and Don.

He never missed a conversation with a stranger—whether on a ski lift, in a waiting room, or at the table next to his. With an easy smile and a twinkle in his eye, Dick turned strangers into friends and filled every room with stories that made people laugh, listen, and linger just a little longer. He was a natural storyteller who lived for connection, and he made every person he met feel seen.

Dick’s dedication to service extended far beyond the military and business. He was a cornerstone of the Ridgefield community—coaching Little League baseball and Red Raider football, and giving his time generously through the Knights of Columbus, Kiwanis Club, Ridgefield Men’s Club, Founders Hall, AARP, and the American Legion Post 78, where he served as Senior Vice Commander. He chaired a benefit jazz concert with Benny Goodman for the Danbury Hospital children’s ward, helped organize Ridgefield’s 300th anniversary parade, and for over 15 years, managed the marching order of the town’s Memorial Day Parade. In 2022, he was honored to serve as the parade’s Grand Marshal—a distinction he held among his proudest achievements.

In quieter moments, Dick found his greatest joy in the garden. With a deep love for plants and a natural green thumb, he nurtured everything from houseplants to perennials, often creating offshoots to gift to friends and family. His garden was not just a sanctuary, but a symbol of his patience, kindness, and the life he cultivated in every sense.

Dick is survived by his beloved wife Evelyn; his sisters Cathy Wynn and Marilyn Perone; his five children; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He leaves behind a legacy of service, warmth, laughter, and deeply rooted community spirit.

Family and friends will be received on Friday, June 20, 2025 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Kane Funeral Home; 25 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, June 21, 2025 at 9:30 AM in Saint Elizabeth Seton Church; 520 Ridgebury Road, Ridgefield. US Air Force Funeral Honors will be offered at the conclusion of the funeral mass. Interment will take place privately. Memorial contributions may be made to Founders Hall - 193 Danbury Road; Ridgefield, CT 06877, or online at http://www.founders-hall.org.

Dick's family has shared the poem below in his memory.

A Gardener’s Legacy
Author Unknown

A gardener’s touch, both strong and kind,
Leaves blooms and roots and peace behind.
He plants with hope, he tends with grace,
Each flower growing in its place.

With calloused hands and steady pace,
He nurtures life, he leaves a trace—
Of love in soil, of time well spent,
Of seasons passed and hours lent.

Though now he rests, his garden grows,
With every bloom, his memory shows.
The seeds he sowed in hearts still bloom,
A legacy in sun and room.

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