Peter Godfrey, Age 101. After 101 years of exquisite conversations, neighborhood Easter egg hunts, and joyous laughter, Mr. Peter Godfrey passed away peacefully at his residence at Beaumont in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, on October 12, 2026. Mr. Peter, as he was known by his young friends, spent 100 years splitting his time between Pennsylvania and Northeast Harbor, where he remained active in local affairs, relished his time on the water, and delighted in being surrounded by extended family and friends.
Born on April 4, 1925, in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, to Marian Angell and William Simpson Godfrey, Peter graduated from St. Mark’s School in 1943 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving in Japan in 1945. After being honorably discharged as Lieutenant (Jg) he attended Harvard University, graduating with the Class of 1948, where he was active in the Hasty Pudding Club and a founding member of the Krokodiloes acapella group. Following graduation, Peter joined Smith Kline & French as a copywriter and was instrumental in the formation of Menley & James Laboratories in 1960. He went on to serve as President of SmithKline Consumer Products and President of Menley & James Laboratories before retiring in 1983.
A true gentleman, Peter opened his life and home-whether at his cherished Faunamede in Villanova or his beloved summer home at Stony Point in Northeast Harbor, Maine-to family and countless friends. He embraced life’s simplest joys: raising his family, sailing The Rose in the crisp winds of Northeast Harbor, picnics on The Margaret II and entertaining alongside his beloved bride, Maggie, whom he married in 1952. Together, they shared 51 adventurous and loving years before Maggie’s passing in 2003. Their home in Villanova and summer retreat in Northeast Harbor were gathering places for family and countless friends, reflecting their shared love of entertaining, good conversation, and the company of others. Mr. Peter had a deep passion for the arts, classical music, and painting. In his later years, he could often be found waving to passing boats from the porch in Maine, reading The New York Times by the fire, or making his rounds uptown to check in on his local favorites.
Peter is survived by his two children, Peter, Jr. and Gay Godfrey, and his four granddaughters, Emma and Olivia Godfrey and Nora and Rose King. He also leaves behind his beloved companion and travel partner, Joan Mackie. After the passing of Maggie, he was fortunate to find another great love in Joanie. She brought him years of love, laughter, companionship, and adventure. He adored her and often said she was his “world.” In addition to his family, he leaves behind Nora “Nonnie” Higgins and Madeline “Maddie” Jarmon, who were part of the family in every way that mattered. He often said that he would not have made it this far without them, and their love, loyalty, and friendship which meant more to him than words could express.
Peter was a caring and engaged member of his communities, always looking for ways to make the good even better. He often said that the key to a long life was to laugh every day-a philosophy he embodied through his warmth, gracious hospitality, and genuine interest in others. After 101 years filled with laughter, friendship, and love, Peter leaves behind a legacy that will live on in the many lives he touched. He will be remembered fondly and deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. As he always said, “It is okay to wake up laughing.”
A Service celebrating Peter’s life will be held on November 21, 2026, at 11:00 A.M. at St. Peter’s Church in the Great Valley. Stuard Funeral Home-Ardmore
– Original post: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/inquirer/name/peter-godfrey-obituary?id=62793895
I regret to share the sad news that Peter Godfrey ‘48 (K48), our oldest living alumnus, passed away last evening at the age of 101. You may recall that K25 was able to perform for him in the Philadelphia suburbs during their winter tour.
On a personal note, I was able to spend some time getting to know Peter in recent years and learned that he lived a truly remarkable life, joining the Kroks after serving the US bravely in the Pacific in World War II. He was a kind and generous man who was much beloved among many different communities in Philadelphia where he spent most of his life. Like many of our original Kroks, he represented the absolute best of this organization, and we should all be proud to have included him amongst our ranks.
This marks the end of an era as Peter was also our last surviving member from the 1940s.
Nunc Est Cantandum,
– Frank DeSimone H2009 – K2006, K07, K09
When I was in public primary school in Cambridge from second through seventh grades, starting in 1947, my father was pastor of the Methodist church across Mass Ave from the Common. Many WW II veterans at Harvard, MIT, and other nearby colleges attended the church, and I got to know some. They were so impressive and nice to me that I decided I wanted to become a Harvard man. I’m sorry that those gallant men are fading away, as our “vintage” Krok brothers have begun to do. I regret I never met Peter Godfrey, and I will send his loved ones my respects in response to the obituary.
Nunc,
– Allen Burns H1963 – K1961, K62, K63
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