James Robert Godette

Jim's battle with cancer ended May 3, 2023 in Labelle, Florida at age 83. He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Phyllis; loyal and devoted sister, Jill Coffey; beloved and faithful daughters, Tracy A. (Kevin) Brown and Amy J. (Scott) Scholand of GA; chosen daughter, Wanda Sampayo of NYC; dear and caring brother-in-law and advisor, James (Louise) Murray; adored grandchildren, Brennan, Tim, Ryan, Sarah Brown, Colin and Anna Scholand; exceptional nieces, nephews, cousins; lifelong pal, Ron Compertore; and many other very loyal friends. Jim was predeceased by his parents, James Henry and Wilma Elliott Godette. Jimmy spent much of his early childhood in Florida as his father was working for Embry Riddle teaching primary pilots how to fly and later delivered planes to the theaters of war for the Royal Canadian Air Force. When Jimmy arrived back in Rochester it was time to enroll him in grade school at Lewis H. Morgan Elementary School (#37.) As a child, Jimmy was always working with his hands; he did art projects, built soap box derby cars, constructed model boats and cars. He was ambitious; he made and sold Christmas ornaments, rose trellises, was a paperboy, shoveled snow, cut grass and worked as a stock boy at the White Star Supermarket. He attended Edison Technical and Industrial High School for their aviation program, graduating in 1959. It was there that he also learned how to weld. He held a job as a line boy at the Rochester Airport. At age 16, he soloed and eventually went on to complete his private, commercial and instructor’s licenses. As a young adult, he taught flying at Hylan Airport before he signed up for the Army in 1961. He liked being in the service, he was trained as a multi-engine airframe mechanic and had a great group of Army buddies. After the Army (1965) and not really wanting to go back to being a flight instructor, he took a job as a welder in an ornamental iron shop. He also went on a blind date with a student nurse, Phyllis Murray from Highland Hospital. He believed in love at first sight and they were married in 1967. In 1968, Jim decided to follow his parents in their self-employed footsteps and became an entrepreneur extraordinaire. With a $50 work table, anvil and other miscellaneous tools, he rented a garage on Buffalo Road and founded Village Wrought Iron. There he started making custom wrought iron railings that he sold to Rochester area builders and homeowners. He outgrew the garage and purchased some land, a house and machine shop on Morgan Road. He would continue his passion for flying since the property had enough acreage for him to put in a runway. During the 1970s came the birth of two daughters and their playhouse: a 30 foot steel yacht buried up to the water line in the backyard. Jim also started remodeling the family farmhouse. With the help of the GI Bill, he was able to obtain his seaplane and helicopter rating in South Carolina. While running his businesses, Jim also found time to spend with his daughters out in the yard with a go kart he adapted for their small size, teaching them to drive a Rupp Roadster on the runway, drive a stickshift vehicle and many, many hours building Soap Box Derby cars with Tracy and Amy. It gave him great pleasure to watch his girls beat out the boys and win Jr and Sr Championships and then race at Nationals in Akron, Ohio. He took them to car shows and airshows, taught them how to waterski, use tools, shoot a gun and raised them like the boys he didn’t have. He showed them that nothing was impossible, it just took hard work and determination. The 1980s brought more home products to the business: skylights, custom mirrors and shower doors, closet shelving, fireplace doors, central vacuums and retractable awnings. Another building was added and Rochester Skylight and Builders and Buyers Specialties were born. His wife officially became his business partner when they incorporated J & P of Chili Inc. In the 1990s, business was booming and there wasn’t much free time but he managed to build an ultralight. After 35 years of long hours, hard physical labor and health issues, it was time to retire. Retirement took him to Florida, spending the last 19 winters in La Belle. He spent his time enjoying his passions. He soloed a glider, planted coconut trees and spent his Rochester summers driving his 1969 Volkswagon and 1933 Model B Ford. He faithfully attended the grandkids sporting events followed up with ice cream whenever possible. He spent 40 years remodeling the family farmhouse and what he did to the bathroom was his pride and joy- an indoor outhouse . It was complete with a 1909 Sears & Roebuck Catalog, flypaper and an oil lamp. Antiquing, sketching, planting flowers, reading, tinkering, folding dollar bills into shirts, fixing things, making things better, and going out for ice cream were all things Jim loved to do. Throughout his life, whether it was his pet crow, barn cats or one of thirteen dogs over the years, he always loved taking care of animals. Nieces and nephews remember the fun times with Uncle Jimmy; spending time at the lake and Bristol, going on vacations and the “clubhouse.” Grandchildren describe him as generational, kind, thoughtful, witty, fascinating, creative, admirable, lover of chocolate ice cream, adventurous and loving. His wife says he’s the best thing that ever happened to her. Jim had a few favorite original quotes: “Not bad for a beginner” (said to the cook) “Stand up straight, smile and be 5 minutes early” (said to the kids) “Come again when you can stay longer” (said to parting company) Jim attended the First Baptist Church in Chili and Carlton United Methodist Church in LaBelle. He was a volunteer firefighter for the Clifton Fire Department for 54 years. The family is very grateful for the exceptional care Jim received from the many caring and dedicated doctors and their staff through the years at URMC. Family and friends may call Saturday, June 17th from 11am-2pm at the Leo M. Bean and Sons Funeral Home. Private interment. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Wilmot Cancer Center at Strong Memorial Hospital, Office of Advancement, PO Box 278996 Rochester, NY 14627 or the Clifton Fire Dept., 53 Wheatland Center Rd. Clifton, NY 14428.