Name: Vancouver Memorial Services and Crematorium
Address: Vancouver, BC

So sad to have heard of David's passing.

Always kind-hearted David made it possible for me to become a graduate student at UBC's Department of Pharmacology, and begin a career as a pharmacologist.  

--- But what I remember best are the many lively opera sessions he conducted at his house --- David was at the piano providing the themes and commentary. 

My condolences to the family.  

Stephen Kish, Toronto

Christian Caritey 
Retired pharmacology technician

Dear Kim and family.
The Celebration of the Life of David was mooving and what you said about your father was very touching. It showed that David at home was as  extraordinary as he was at work with us in Pharmacology. David and I were born the same year, in 1942. Both of us became  grandfathers of three grandchildren more or less at the same time. When we met, we always had a few words about them as he was as passionate as I was about our grandkids.
With my sincere condolences. 
Christian Caritey

Dear Yum Kim and Kim and family,

I'm very sorry to learn of David's sudden death.  He was one of the most dedicated UBC faculty and kindest people I have ever met - truly exceptional.  My late father was very fond of David, who reciprocated the affection, including to play piano at the Unitarian Church for my Dad's memorial service. This was an unusual and wonderful expression of respect and solidarity, not only for my Dad and family, but for others in attendance who together had built the excellence of the UBC Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics starting from 1950.  

David was also very respectful and kind to me in my return to the Department on a part-time teaching basis, after my experience as an MLA, and in sharing classes with me in the Advanced Therapeutics course our Department gave for medical students.

One of my best memories of Dr. Godin is of his enthusiasm for music in all forms, and his overall joy in life.  We were very lucky to have his long-standing influence in the UBC Medical School and in the Faculty of Science.

Tom Perry (Jr.) MD, FRCPC

I was fortunate enough to work in Dr. Godin's lab one summer when I was an undergraduate pharmacology student at UBC.  I will always remember his excellent teaching and guidance to me.  May he rest peacefully. 

I am greatly saddened by this news that David passed.   I was very fortunate to have him as my friend and mentor, as a young professor at UBC (and from a different Faculty as well).  He was always very gracious and kind with his time and  friendship; and his energy and enthusiasm for being a University professor was contagious .   I have fond memories of him proof reading my grants and papers and providing excellent advise, which was always objective and well intended.  He was a wonderful person, teacher and friend.  

 We were very sad to hear about the death of Dave Godin. He was one of the first friends we made when we first arrived in Vancouver from Montreal in 1975. Dave and Yum Kin were very welcoming and provided important help in getting us settled. We remained close friends for all these years.
 We can safely say that Dave was one of the kindest and giving people we have ever met. We were fortunate to get to know his family and other friends and share many great memories.
 Dave was also a great collegue. He never said no to a request to be on a student committee or pitch in with a lecture(s) n a course. He was always thoughtful and giving of his time and expertise.
He will be missed. 

David has been my mentor and best friends since 1986 when I studied a PhD degree in his lab. After graduating and back to work in Hong Kong in 1990, we have been kept in close contact through weekly email and FaceTime conversation. Two days after our last talk on 7 July, I sadly lost my most respected mentor and friend.  

In addition to expressing my deepest condolence to Yum Kin, Kim and her family,  I am honored to keep David's teaching legacy alive by teaching a course which David set up in 1994 at the Hong Kong Univeristy of Science and Technology.  David will always be remembered.

Dear Yum Kin and Kim,

We have not met but David had spoken dearly of both of you to me. I first got to know David several years ago when Father Terry recruited me as a lector at St. John the  Apostle Parish. David would initially wait for me to arrive at mass on Sunday at 9am to kindly remind me of his preference to sing the Responsorial Psalm and I read the rest before he went upstairs to play the organ. Later on,  before mass started, he would smile and said gently, "You know the drill!"

My husband and I send our condolences to you. We have been going to mass at St. John the Apostle Parish for over 40 years and have had the privilege of enjoying David's  talented organ and piano playing and singing which made mass so much more meaningful over the years. 

Margaret Chow-Loo and Gus Loo

My deepest sympathy to you Yum Kin and your family on the passing of David,  your dear husband, father and grandfather. 

Joan Bree

David was a Sensitive and Caring Human Being who was the GOLD STANDARD for teaching in pharmacology. May he RIP.

I first met Dr. David Godin when I was still in my surgical training. He was introduced to us by my wife's long time college friend Yum-Kin. He brought a stack of 33 records to share with us. Among those were Bela Bartok's Bluebeard's Castle. Immediately I knew he was not just an ordinary music lover. His musical knowledge was profound and legendary.
We visited each other travelling between Kingston and Ottawa.He encouraged us to come and stay in Vancouver which we did.
Over the years, we formed an "Closed Circle"  of old friends and had multiple gatherings. We exchanged classical records, quizzed each other, accompanied each other in piano and violin duets, performed at annual Christmas Concerts. We even called each other " Maestros".
I learned a lot from his "pre-opera Club" gatherings. Professionally, I invited him to speak to our physicians on pharmacology of uric acid.
I was thankful that just two days before the sad event, we had a long conversation on the telephone. I didn't know that it was the last good-bye. I missed my dear friend greatly.

Norman Kwong

Sorry to hear your loss. David was a most kind and loving person. He touched many hearts and will be sadly missed. 
Cathy and Patrick Pang

David's gentle and friendly smiles got my attention when I first saw him at St. Mark's Chapel, UBC.  He attended most of the weekday Masses while he taught at UBC.  Later we met each other at St. John the Apostle parish on Sundays.  I enjoyed and appreciated the Choir he led for many years.  David's mastery of the spoken Cantonese language was well known at St. John and he often entertained us by showing off his many colloquial expressions.  David, I'll remember you always, as a  gentleman with many talents and much love! May you rest in eternal peace !

With heartfelt condolences to his beloved wife and family,
Linda Fung

So sorry to hear about this. He has been  a friend for more than 50 years. The world is going to miss him.

John McNeill

Our heartfelt condolences to the Godin family.  David was a valued colleague and a tremendous teacher.  We especially loved the many pre-opera talks we attended where David brought the music and story of the opera to life.  David was a true gift to all of us.  Carol Ann &  David

I got to know Dr. Godin as the graduate students' advisor during my PhD at UBC (2005-2012). He was very kind, understanding and helpful. I got very sick during my second year of my PhD. He was the first to help me and referred me to an excellent physician. I still remember his words "There is light at the end of the tunnel".
He was very sincere in carrying out his duties and ultra sincere in helping out beyond his duties.
May his soul rest in peace. 

Dear YumKin , Kim , Matt and your wonderful kids.  I met Dave at UBC first as a student in dentistry and then afterwards when I served with him on the Admissions committee for dental students.  I loved him as a teacher and admired his passion to always put the student first.  We played several squash games together and stayed in touch over the years with our last meeting in Dec of 2019 just before the pandemic.  He offered me sage advice over the years on many things and was a supremely kind , caring and wonderful human being.  His passion for opera, family , education and teaching is something I will never forget.  He was a mentor and a friend for me and someone who always gave and never took.  He gave his time, his knowledge, his advice , his friendship and never asked for much in return.  I feel honoured to have had him in my life and will miss him dearly.  I want you to know what an impact he had on me in my life as an educator and as a person…he was truly a marvellous man.  I know that when my father passed two years ago, to hear stories of the impact he had on others helped ease the pain, and my hope is that with time these memories of your father and husband will help bring a smile to your face, instead of a tear to your eye.  He was an unbelievable person, so short in todays world…he will be truly missed.  My deepest condolences to you all on his passing.

Dear Yum Kin and Kim and family,
As you know, I’ve been a monthly lunch-friend with David for the past 20 years. Tho’ we met in the mid-70s, it was only as we both approached retirement that we really connected. Our friendship was important to both of us - so I am so very sad about his death.  He always spoke of his beloved family. How much he loved them all and how much he and Yum Kin had shared and celebrated though the decades.  His friendship with everyone was marked with kindness, honesty, spirituality and happiness. I am sure that everyone who knew him as a friend left every visit with him blessed and enriched, recharged and renewed. How I would love to meet him again at McCleery or The Cheese and talk about opera, our churches, our families, our lives past and present. May we all find strength in God’s love to help us step into the rest of life. That, of course, is what David would wish for us and he would tell us that exactly. Peace and Blessings, Gordon How



David, a true gentleman and a caring professor, has three main devotions in his life:  his deep faith in God , his love for his wife, daughter and grandchildren, and his passion for music and opera.

His deep faith in his Creator is shown in his unstinting commitment in being the choir director for Sunday Mass at St. John the Apostle's for almost the entire year of every year for nearly four decades!
One of his favourite quotes from the Bible is:  "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eteranl."    2  Corinthians  4:18 (NIV)

How David cherished his wife and family is reflected in the expressions he used whenever he addressed them:  "... beloved Yum Kin";   Kim, "a pillar of strength for her mom and I";   "...precious grand kids".

His passion for music, especially opera, is expressed in his emails:  "Since my youth, I have had a deep passion for opera, and I have had the privilege of giving lectures on opera and opera preview talks prior to Vancouver Opera productions for many years.  For me, the combination of music, drama and the visual arts that we have in opera is incomparable ... "

Farewell, David, faithful servant of God, take flight now towards the eternal Light of God on the wings of angels!

Kim,

My deepest condolences on the loss of your father. I have such fond memories of him and always appreciated his overwhelming kindness along with his wealth of knowledge. My heart goes out to you and the family at this time, and know you will all be in our thoughts.

Patrick

It was with deep shock and sadness that we received the news of David’s passing on our way to Vancouver. Our friendship with David and Yum Kin goes back to our younger days in Ottawa where we first met David and Yum Kin in Professor Belleau’s lab at the University of Ottawa, where we came to know and enjoy David’s warm personality and sincere nature. He, together with Yum Kin, shared important moments in our lives, including our weddings, the joy of new family and our common scientific and music interests. Despite our subsequent periods apart David’s genuine friendship continued and shone through whenever we met. Yum Kin, Kim and all of us whom he touched will miss him greatly. 

Dear YumKin, Kim and Family,

We feel blessed to have known such an outstanding human being as Dave.  He was exceptionally intelligent, caring and dynamic in all his pursuits.

He touched as deeply and above all, has been a true and cherished friend for over 60 years.

We shall miss him dearly.

Love, Gerry and Carol Ann (Guzzo)




Dear Yum Kin, Kim, Matt and Family,
Please accept our sincere condolences. We are so heartbroken to hear this news. David was an incredible person who we loved deeply. For me, Troy, he was a friend and mentor since my early days at UBC starting in 1992 and continuing thereafter. Watching and learning from how David taught and truly cared for students was deeply inspiring and I learned a tremendous amount about the selfless leadership that he showed every day. He helped me personally to get through my PhD and to ultimately have the very fulfilling career I have today. David was always there for others in a way that I've rarely seen. His "pre-Opera" evenings were legendary and hooked many of us graduate students at the time onto Opera for life. Another constant factor about David was his deep love for his family, which he talked about a lot. We were all truly blessed to have had David in our lives and his loss is deeply saddening. We wish you all peace and strength during this difficult time. David's memory will live on in our hearts forever.
With love,
Troy, Jasia, Tyler and Dylan Sarich

Fr Christopher Antony HGN
India

My sincere and heartfelt condolences to Dr David Godin's family. I assure my prayers for the departed soul of Dr David Godin. May God grant him eternal rest.

When I was serving in St John the Apostle parish as Associate Pastor during 2009 to 2010, I closely associated with Dr David. I always enjoyed the way he played Piano and his able leadership as Choir Director. He also showed great concern towards me. Even after my leaving Vancouver, he was in touch with me through social media.

He was a great musician, teacher, leader, mentor, friend and a dedicated servant of God. He always appreciated my homilies and encouraged me. 

Dear Dr David Godin, I truly miss you. May God grant you the heavenly bliss and may you rest in peace.

Fr Christopher Antony HGN
India
Phone: +91 9840995431
E-mail: a_xtopher@yahoo.co.in


Dear Yum Kin, Kim and family,

My last encounter with David was after he played music at church the week before he died. He was so delighted to play again and praised God with his heart and hands. He was a wonderful choir director - always encouraging and leading by fine example. He was such a good Christian and inspired those around him to goodness. He leaves a big hole at St. John's but I know that he is playing gloriously for the Lord in the highest heavens. Journeying with you in prayer during this painful time of loss. In the peace of Jesus, Lisa for Emmanuella and all at Madonna House Apostolate

Dear Yun Kin, and Kim…we at St John the Apostle Parish, share our love and concern for all David’s family and many close friends and colleagues of whom he always spoke so fondly.

I have known David, and enjoyed many chats before and after enjoying his playing either the organ or piano for so many services over his years with us.  He made a unique contribution always.

May he now Rest in Peace…it is well deserved.


Dear Yum Kin, Kim & Family,
Understanding thoughts are with you today expressing the sympathy words cannot say:-(
I knew David since 1986 when I joined his choir at St. John the Apostle Parish as a soprano under his capable and very talented direction. However, he assigned me to replace Elizabeth Shwerdfeger when she became ill around 2000. He very kindly and patiently trained me to be a pianist-organist.  He was a great mentor and got me interested in the study of liturgical music! He called me his "partner-in-crime" when we sometimes have difficulty with choir practice attendances. He always managed to bring everyone back with his brilliant, amazing and caring demeanor. We will all miss him very dearly but will always carry him in our hearts!!
With Lots of Love & Prayers,
Magdalene, Michelle, Melissa & Families@--->--->---    

Dear Yum Kin, Kim & Family,
Understanding thoughts are with you today expressing the sympathy words cannot say:-(
I knew David since 1986 when I joined his choir as a soprano under his capable and talented direction at St. John the Apostle Parish. However, he assigned me to replace Elizabeth  Schwerdfeger when she became ill around 2000. He kindly and patiently trained me to be a pianist-organist. He became my very good friend and got me interested in the study of liturgical music. He was a great mentor and called me his "partner-in-crime" when we sometimes have difficulty with choir practice attendances;-) He always managed to bring everyone back into our choir family with his brilliant, amazing and caring demeanor! We will all miss him very dearly but will always carry him in our hearts!!
With Lots of Love & Prayers,
Magdalene, Michelle, Melissa & Families@--->--->---

Shall always treasure the wonderful presence of David on Friday's at St. John's playing the piano for the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. 
Prayers for him always. 
Theresa


Yum Kin, Kim and family;

We had the pleasure of knowing David for 20+ years and knew him to be a warm, energetic and intelligent man. 

David would always light up the room and cared greatly for those that had the pleasure of knowing him. 

David contributed much to the music at St John the Apostle parish for many years as a capable choir director and organist. 

We will miss David’s friendship. 

Eternal rest grant unto David, O Lord,
And let perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace. Amen. 

Greg, Teressa and family. 

Dear Yum Kin, Kim and family,

Please accept our sincerest condolences on the passing of David, your beloved husband, father and goong-goong. May choirs of angels lead him into Paradise. 

Eternal rest grant unto David, O Lord,
And let perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace. Amen. 

With our love and prayers,
D’Arcy and Ee-Laine Radelet and family

Dear Yum-Kin, Kim,

"Family First" was his "modus operandi" and his "Moral Compass" never  waivered.

Everyone that met Dave, liked him right away.  I never heard anyone say a bad thing about him.  He was a great guy that will be sorely missed by all!

My thoughts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time.

Paul

Dear Yum Kin, Kim and Family,
My sincere condolences on your beloved David's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. I was privileged to call David my friend as I got to know him at St. John the Apostle Choir. David was a true gentleman and will be dearly missed by everyone who knew him. I will miss David's beautiful selection of liturgical music but most of all his friendship. May he rest forever in the arms of  Our Saviour. Forever in my thoughts and prayers.  Margaret Larkin 

OBITUARY

David Vincent Godin

17 June, 1942 – 9 July, 2023

Vancouver Memorial Services and Crematorium

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