Richard Godfrey was born in Tarrytown, New York on November 27, 1948, the third and youngest son of Albert and Ethel Godfrey. He attended the public schools of the Tarrytowns, graduating from Sleepy Hollow High School, followed by some business courses at local colleges.  Richard lived his entire life in the family home in Briarcliff Manor, New York, even for 45 years alone, except for several successive pet cats, after both his parents died in 1980.

During his young life in Archville, Richard had many friends of similar age among the children of families living on Requa and Union streets.  During spring, summer and autumn, there were baseball and football games. During the winter there was ice hockey, although without ice skates, and sledding.

Richard worked a variety of jobs during his life. His first job after high school was at Savin Corporation, an office equipment manufacturer. Other jobs included caddying and golf shop work at nearby Sleepy Hollow Country Club, delivering phone books locally and other items to places as far away as upstate New York, and taxi driving as far away as New York City airports.  

Like his father, he served as a volunteer with the Archville Fire Department. During his free time, he loved go jogging on the trails in nearby Rockefeller State Park or at other places not quite as close. He also recorded the entire length of the Old Croton Aqueduct, as well as other local sites, in photographs. He read widely and had a large collection of books. He also accumulated collections of model cars and trains, stamps, trading cards, license plates, and various other things. Richard was scrupulously honest, always repaying loans needed for unforeseen major expenses, as fast as possible. His many interests were seriously curtailed after he developed difficulty with his vision and became legally blind. This caused him great distress. Help from thoughtful neighbors and home health aides were extremely important for him.  Richard passed away from a variety of health issues, ending with heart failure, on August 11, 2025.

He is survived by his oldest brother, Bob, who lives in California, and his other older brother, Don, who lives in Ohio.