Eugene Michael Goddard

After a long illness, on Monday, August 23, 2021, Eugene Michael Goddard went home to be with the Lord. Mike or “Bake”, as he was known to his friends and those who loved him, was 56 years old. He was born in the Bronx, New York on July 2, 1965, to Eugene Greville Goddard and Alvera Tempie Bennett, and spent most of his childhood and young adulthood in Newark and Irvington New Jersey where he formed his most trusted, lifelong friendships.

Mike attended Seton Hall Prep, Irvington High School and Caldwell College in New Jersey. He moved to Walnut Creek California in the mid-1980s to be with his family who had moved there and worked for the Contra Costa Times and the Central Contra Costa County Transit Company. Although Mike ultimately lived most of his adult years in California, he was at heart and in spirit an East Coast guy. In 1992, Mike married Kalise Bennett and became a caring stepfather to Jamario, Moniquia and Maurice. In 1993, Mike and Kalise were blessed with a daughter, Mykaela. Until the end of his life, Mike was a devoted, adoring, and loving father. Mykaela was the primary focus of his life and was his reason for being.

Mike became a credentialed drug and alcohol testing administrator and worked for several transportation companies as an operations manager until illness impaired his ability to work in the spring of 2021. To say that Mike was an avid sports fan is an understatement, particularly about basketball and football. He was a lifelong Dallas Cowboys fan and a season’s ticket holder. Mike often expressed his love through cooking and was known for marathon cooking sessions and the big “spread”. He was an awesome grill master. Mike was a bon vivant who squeezed life and in doing so always marched to the beat of his own drum. He was the kind of person that you just loved being around.

Mike was predeceased by his father Eugene in 2002 and is survived by a loving family who misses him deeply. He had a very special bond with his mother, Alvera, who was also his friend and confidant. He also leaves behind his daughter Mykaela Goddard, big sister Jo Ann Newton, brother-in-law James Newton, and niece, Sydney Rose Newton. Mike also has many relatives and countless friends to whom he was caring and loyal. They all will greatly miss him and the fun and joy that he brought to life.

Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

John 14:1-3 NKJV

We wish to acknowledge the many expressions of sympathy and condolences on the passing of Eugene Michael Goddard. We thank you for your support during our grief.

The Goddard, Newton and Bennett families.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Draper-Mortuary.com for the Goddard family.