Joseph Erskin "Tom" Goddard

Joseph Erskin “Tom” Goddard, 97, of Piney Point, MD, passed away peacefully on October 18, 2026, in Callaway, MD. Born on June 11, 1929, at home in St. George’s Park, Piney Point, MD, he was the son of the late Joseph Benjamin and Ruby Mary Goddard. Tom married the love of his life, Mary Alma Adams, on August 18, 1951. They recently celebrated 75 years of marriage. Together they created a life filled with family, hard work, and so many great memories.

Tom was a proud father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great grandfather, and leaves his children, Linda of Tall Timbers, MD, Sandra of Valley Lee, MD, Jimmy of Dameron, MD, Karen of Johns Creek, GA, and Marcia of Leonardtown, MD, to cherish his memory. In addition to his wife and children, he is survived by his siblings, Bonnie Davis, Jackie Layton, and Ruby Lee Fisher. Tom was preceded in death by his siblings, Frances Goddard, Patsy Unkle, and Mary Jean Robrect.

Tom began his career working for Stuart Petroleum Company of Piney Point, MD. For many years, he sailed up and down the east coast, pumping fuel from barges to petroleum companies. As his family grew, he decided that he needed to be closer to home. For many years thereafter, Tom worked as a farmer, growing tobacco, and as a waterman, oystering and crabbing. He was also a very talented and skilled craftsman and did carpentry work at the Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship, as well as remodeling his homes.

Tom will be remembered for his hardworking nature, his humility, his thoughtfulness, and the way he protected and cared for the people he loved. A beloved and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, brother, and friend, his absence will be deeply felt, but the love he shared with his family and the memories he helped create with them will last forever.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM in St. George Catholic Church, Valley Lee, MD, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM with Rev. John Nguyen officiating and Rev. Paul Nguyen con- celebrating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers will be Joshua Brown, Allen Weeks, Kelly Weeks, and Douglas Goddard. Honorary pallbearers will be Kim Unkle and Michael Weeks.

The family kindly requests that donations be made to the Second District Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 1, Valley Lee, MD 20692, https://sdvfdrs.org/ , and/or Saint George Catholic Church, 19199 St. George’s Church Road, Valley Lee, MD 20692, https://giving.parishsoft.com/app/giving/FD-769

Condolences may be made to the family at www.mgfh.com.

Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home and Cremation Services, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.