Carl was born on June 28, 1944 in Detroit, Michigan to his late parents Bruno S and Rita Godlewski. His father, Bruno was fighting in WWII at the time of his birth. Carl was devoted to faith in God, his family, country, and true friends. He held on to his first holy communion and confirmation certificates from St. Cyril and Methodius all his life. Carl grew up in a modest Polish household on Girardin Street in Detroit with his parents Bruno and Rita as well as his siblings Veronica, John, Joan, and Jeanette. He attended Northeastern High School in Detroit and enlisted in the United States Army- 1st cavalry Division. Carl met Geraldine and they married in 1966 at St Thomas Church in Detroit and were married over 55 years at the time of his death. Carl and Geraldine raised three sons Anthony (Michelle), Kevin (Marlene) and Shawn. They have four grandchild Crystal, Jaqui, Alexis and Nicholas. Carl worked as a welder, bus driver, millwright and studied Climate Control Technology at Macomb County Community College. His life changed forever when he suffered a major heart attack while working at the Detroit Department of Street and Railways (DSR) in 1976. That started what became a 45-year battle with atherosclerosis, heart disease and congestive heart failure. His physician at the time, told him that he would be lucky if he lived to his 40th birthday, while his friends and family encouraged him by saying that he would outlive them all (and he nearly did). Carl placed his faith in God and his cardiology team. He tried every medication, surgical procedure and diet recommended so that he could be there for his family right up until his last days. Carl suffered many losses in his life. His sister Veronica died as a baby before Carl was born, he lost his mother in 1969, his brother John disappeared never to be seen again, he lost his father in 1985, his sister Joan in 2013, and his sister Jeanette in 2020. His disease took an active veteran, who was working and going to school, out of the workforce. Carl slowly had to let go of things that his body would no longer allow him to do. Through all his tragedy, he never complained, wondered why me, he was always strong and resilient despite his disease. Whenever you asked him how we were doing, the response was "just Peachy." In his younger years, Carl loved fishing and boating. He taught his sons to fish, maintain their cars and homes. He enjoyed telling stories at gatherings with friends and family. He had a witty and sneaky sense of humor and folks didn't always know whether he was joking around or serious until Carl was ready for them to know. He loved cooking and was constantly finding home maintenance and beautification projects. Later in life, his Sunday morning routine was getting up at 6 am to get his newspaper at Kroger and coming home to read it while listening to his music in the morning. (The last time he did that, the clerk yelled at him for getting into the store before they were open). He was a typical stubborn Polish father. His faith in God and that stubborn streak are likely what helped get him through all the surgical procedures, disappointments, and challenges life threw at him. In addition to his family, Carl valued true friends and considered Dick Denomme, George Johnson and Noel Frederick among his own true friends. He wrote and carried a poem in his wallet attesting to his value of friendship.
From a Friend, For a Friend A friend is a person for which the following does not matter. If you're tall or short, rich or poor, fat or skinny, ugly or pretty. This is a person who does not care if you are a man, woman, bad or good. If you ask for a hand, no matter if you are right or wrong. They will be there for you and ask nothing in return. A friend is a person who accepts you for who and what you are, as I accept a friend for who and what they are. This is what a friend means to me. What does a friend mean to you? I hope I can be your friend because we all have three friends if you'll allow them. Most people call them God, Jesus, and the Blessed Virgin Mary -Carl Godlewski Carl was also a Catholic man of faith and attended Saturday evening Mass regularly with his beloved wife, Gerri. He used to talk of an experience at a local Arby's restaurant in which a man asked him to buy some food so the man could eat. Carl didn't have any money at the time and said no, but found some extra money, turned around to offer it and the man was gone. Carl forever associated that event to Matthew 25:35-40, "For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat…" After that day, anytime someone would ask Carl for food, he would give what he had. Carl also opened his home and took in his mother-in-law, Jane Staszewski after his father-in -law, Zygmund passed away in 1978, despite his own limited resources. He also allowed his brother-in-law, Zygmunt Staszewski to live in his home and welcomed Zygmunt's children, Pam and Jay into the home when they would visit their father. Carl was always around to help a neighbor or friend with a project, a ride, or simply fellowship during times of trouble or joy. Carl was married to Geraldine his beloved wife for 55 years. Together they faced many tragedies and setbacks. However, they taught their family that the response to the challenge is what defines a person and to embrace the difficulties, pull together an exemplify hope, faith, and love. They were always together, they were always there for family, friends, neighbors, and anyone who needed help. They 55-year marriage was a testament to their loyalty and true love. Carl will leave a quiet indelible mark on the hearts of those that knew and loved him. He always shied away from the spotlight. Despite all his health problems, he would never complain. If you tried to ask him about it, he would change the subject back to your own troubles and how he could help you. He wanted to see and experience people where they were and as they were. He did not want a funeral, a viewing, or a Mass. He wanted people to remember his as the character he was, full of life rather than the shell that remains when we go to Heaven. There will be no public farewell, but that doesn't mean he did not love his family and friends. It means he didn't want folks to gather in grief to remember him. He did not want folks to worry about him and even now, if you asked how he's doing, he would reply as he always did… Just Peachy

Carl was the beloved husband of Geraldine. Loving father of Anthony (Michelle) Kevin (Marlene) and Shawn. Adored grandfather of Crystal, Jaqui, Alexis, Nicholas. Predeceased by his siblings Veronica, John, Joan, and Jan.

Arrangements entrusted to the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home in Warren.