Deacon Fernando L. Godina dies suddenly

Intermountain Catholic

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Deacon Fernando L. Godina died suddenly while golfing with a friend in Delta, Utah, May 5.

SALT LAKE CITY — Deacon Fernando L. Godina died May 5, in Delta, Utah, while golfing with a friend.

Deacon Godina was born Nov. 19, 1935, in Tlaltenango, Mexico, to Fernando M. and Dolores De Leon Godina. He married Beatrice M. Hurtado Jan. 26, 1963.

He played professional soccer for Atlas in Guadalajara, Mexico. He continued playing soccer, water skiing, fishing, snow skiing, and golfing. He worked for American Electro Plating for eight years. He spent the next 30 years working for Salt Lake County as a talented carpenter and facilities and maintenance supervisor.

Deacon Godina would greet you with his warm smile and loving charm. Anyone who met him knew he was an extraordinary person. They also had a friend for life. He studied very hard to become a deacon with the Diocese of Salt Lake City. He was ordained Nov. 30, 1997. He and Bee always prayed for God’s care and guidance before presiding over any religious ceremony. As a deacon he touched many lives and helped hundreds of people.

Deacon Godina taught us all so much about respect, love, and especially laughter. Anyone who needed an example of how to truly be "in love," needed only to look at him and Bee. They shared that love with their family, friends, church, and community. Deacon Godina loved his family with all his heart. His greatest pleasures in life were spending time with family and friends, enjoying countless family parties, dancing, golfing, and just celebrating life.

He is survived by his beloved wife; his children, Beatrice "PeeWee," Fernando (Michelle), Grace (John) Dumas, and Ricardo "Cardy" (Jennifer); six grandchildren, Nicole, Nando, Tony, Faith, Chile, and Sage; two sisters, Teresa (Pedro) Campos, and Francisca Garcia.

Deacon Godina was preceded in death by a brother, Celmente Godina, a sister, Aurelia Campos, and his parents.

A vigil service was held May 9, at 7:30 p.m. at St. Ann Catholic Church, 450 East 2100 South, Salt Lake City. A funeral Mass was Celebrated May 10 at 9 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Madeleine, 331 East South Temple, Salt Lake City. Committal was in Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 4th Avenue and T Street.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 1085 East 700 South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84102.