Harold N. Godlin
Harold Nathaniel ( Jewish birthname Chaim Natan Ben-Shmuel) Godlin passed peacefully in his sleep on January 10, 2024. He was born in Stamford, Connecticut on October 24, 1926, son of Samuel B. and Rose Godlin. He was a graduate of Stamford High School, Brown University and Harvard Law School, and served in the United States Navy during WWII, where he was assigned to a destroyer escort and served as a sonar operator.
After his return from his time in the Navy service, he practiced law in Stamford for 41 years. His practice focused primarily on civil litigation, though he handled many different matters including estate planning and real estate. Harold was active in many civic organizations as well including serving in the Connecticut Chamber of Commerce, the Serendipity Chorale of Norwalk, Connecticut, the United Jewish Federation, and as a teacher at Temple Judea in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and was active in Brown University alumni affairs. Harold was a lifelong learner, and took continuing education classes at Florida Atlantic University well into his senior years. He had a zest for life, and often remarked “my cup runneth over” to express his gratitude for the rich experience that Life had provided to him. Harold’s appetites for singing and acting, performing magic tricks to the delight of many, maintaining close relationships with family and worshipping the Lord were matched only by his love of dessert.
He was predeceased by his first wife and mother of his children Marcella Meisels Godlin, second wife Lorraine B. (“Lorrie”) Steinberg,
brother Eugene R. Godlin and daughter Lynn Janie Godlin Koolbeck, and is survived by brother Theodore Godlin and his lifepartner Kelley P. Kaufman of The Villages, Florida; two children, Wayne Godlin of Sherman, Connecticut and Marlies Rapps of Middletown, Connecticut; grandchildren Michael Godlin of Chicago, Illinois, Daniel Godlin of Montclair, New Jersey, Hannah Godlin of New York, New York, Kayla Koolbeck Hyde of Pleasant Hill, Iowa, and Jesse and Josh Koolbeck of Iowa City, Iowa; and Brendan, Matt, and Zachary Conway, and Shawn Feighery (children of Marlies); and greatgrandchildren Noah and Saul (children of Michael); Dreama and Nolan (children of Daniel); and P.J., Quinlynn, Shauna, and Kaleb Feighery; Aaliyah, Nathan and Emma Carmon; and Kendra Conway (children of Marlies Rapps); and Wesley and Raelyn (children of Kayla).
Harold was interred at the Independent Stamford Lodge Cemetery in Darien, Connecticut. Donations on behalf of Harold can be made to the Jewish Home for the Elderly of Fairfield County, United Jewish Federation, and Temple Judea of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.