GEOFFREY GEORGE GODDARD
09/09/1931 - 03/04/2023
Geoffrey George Goddard passed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, March 4th at the Village of River Oaks Senior Living Facility in Houston, Texas.
Geoff was born in Sydney, Australia on September 9, 1931 while the famous Sydney Harbor Bridge was nearing completion. From his family’s harborside home, he was able to witness the comings and goings of US & Australian warships on Sydney Harbor during World War II. During the war he developed a love the boating and airplanes that he would carry with him for the rest of his life.
His father George Goddard was a 2nd lieutenant in the Australian Army during World War I and served in Europe. George was a well known journalist by profession and passed away suddenly in 1947 while Geoff was 16 years old. Geoff graduated from the prestigious Shore Grammar School in North Sydney in 1949.
Upon graduation Geoff worked as an apprentice for the Pepsi Cola company. While at Pepsi, he became a Chartered Accountant, the Australian equivalent of a CPA in the United States.
In the early 1960’s he went to work for Oil Drilling & Exploration Company in Sydney. He oversaw the construction of offshore oil drilling vessels in both Australia & Singapore that were destined to drill in Indonesia.
In 1964 he married Maureen Millar and they honeymooned in Singapore & Japan. Maureen was a constant by his side for the rest of his life. Within three years they had two children, Damien & Jonathan.
In the mid 1960’s Geoff went to work for the American oil company Zapata Offshore Company founded by future US President George H.W. Bush. In 1973 Geoff and his family relocated to Houston from Australia.
In 1976 he left Zapata to establish Pro-Dec Products, Inc in Stafford, Texas. Pro-Dec eventually became the largest manufacturer of plastic screw & bolt covers in the world and is still operating to this day. Throughout the rest of his life he guided Pro-Dec through changing economic times.
In 1983 Maureen & Geoff joined the Houston Yacht Club that was to provide them so much joy over the next four decades. They bought and sold various boats over the years eventually transitioning from sailing & sailboat racing to a trawler as they got older.
Maureen & Geoff founded the Elissa Regatta in 1994 which become one of the biggest charity regattas on Gulf Coast. Over the next 20 years the Elissa Regatta grew to become the highlight of the HYC spring racing schedule. Funds raised by the regatta benefited the Tall Ship Elissa in Galveston. In 2001 he became Commodore of the Houston Yacht Club.
In 2009 his greatest joy and only grandchild, Sydney Goddard was born. Throughout the rest of his life Sydney was never far from his & Maureen’s side.
In 2013 Geoff retired from running Pro-Dec’s day to day operations. He passed his time traveling with Maureen & enjoying events with his many friends from the Houston Yacht Club both in town and Shoreacres.
Geoff was loved by his many friends and family for his sense of humor, his integrity and his vast business acumen.
A celebration of life will be held at Bradshaw Carter Funeral Home on Thursday, March 9th at 5 pm 1734 West Alabama St.