Josh Godfrey (Sydney Joshua Strange)

With extremely heavy hearts, the family of Josh Godfrey (Sydney Joshua Strange), announce his unexpected passing on Friday, October 2nd, at the age of 42, in Vernon BC. Josh is survived by his parents, Marlene and Wayne Godfrey, Syd and Karen Strange. His sister Jolene and brother-in-law Earnie and his two nieces and nephew, Mariya, Macy and Mac, whom were the lights of his life. Josh also is survived by his aunts, uncles and cousins and his step sister, Judy Emerson and family. Josh had a second family, his staff and fellow residents at Cardinal House, where he lived for the last two and a half years. Josh is predeceased by his Grandma, Mary McGladdery, in January of 2015. His ‘Mommay’, played a very important part in Josh’s life as he was growing up.

Josh was born in Langley BC, May 27, 1978…In 1987 Josh’s mom, Marlene married his stepdad, Wayne and they lived in New Westminster for most of Josh’s elementary school life. Josh took riding lessons at Pacific Riding for the Disabled and swimming with Special O. In 1995, he moved to Maple Ridge with his parents and Josh attended and graduated from Garibaldi Senior Secondary, with a grad date on each arm. He bowled with Special O. From there he went on to volunteer at Holyrood Manor and for the Salvation Army in the office, and numerous other volunteer jobs forming long friendships.

In 2008, the family moved to Vernon. Josh made lots and lots of friends in the community…He had two volunteer jobs, at Heron Grove, from 2010 and Noric House from 2014…He managed to get a social distancing visit in with his two special ladies a couple of weeks before his passing. He also attended day programs at DA Centre, Kindale and Venture Training over the years…He took Aqua Adapt swimming lessons for seven years. He also loved Jim Dandy Bowling which he did for a number of years also.

Josh lived with his parents until he was 37 and then left the nest to live with the Smith family for a year and a half…He moved back home for a while, as his health and mobility started to decline. In February of 2018, he moved to Cardinal House, where he lived until he passed.

Josh touched a lot of people in his life and everyone enjoyed his company…he never liked anyone to be sad or feel left out…He had so many friends in the community and everyone always remembered him.

There are numerous people to thank… special thank you to Lenni and the staff at Cardinal House; the people that have been in his life for years, those that are new friends, the people that touched his life and ours, the night he passed.

A Celebration of Life for Josh is planned for May 2021, with more details to be announced in the Spring of 2021.