Donat J. Godin, 91, formerly of Manville and Cumberland, died peacefully Monday evening October 12, 2026 at St. Antoine Residence.
Born and raised in Albion he was the son of the late Joseph and Lillian (Gagne) Godin. He was a resident of Manville for most of his life and lived just across the river in Cumberland for the past several years.
Donat spent his career as a skilled mechanic. In his earlier years he worked for A&D Tires and Auto Service in Smithfield, Roy’s Garage in Manville, Pierce Chevrolet, Normandin Chevrolet, also operated his own garage in Manville and also worked at Pratt Precious Metals in Cumberland. In retirement he also worked with his late brother Rene Godin as a caretaker at St. James Cemetery.
Donat was a devoted Catholic and longtime communicant of St. James Parish.
Donat loved motorcycle riding. He was a member of the United Motorcycle Club based in Woonsocket. He was an avid NASCAR and NFL football fan. In his later years Donat enjoyed traveling and took vacations out west to Arizona and California to go visit his extended family and godchild Deb (Pinette) Moriarty. Donat’s greatest pride and devotion was his family and his love for his very long time companion Claudette Gentes. He was the official family jokester and did the world’s best Donald Duck impersonation and took great joy in sharing that with every young child he would come across.
Donat is survived by his son Gerald Godin and his wife Shirley of Margate, FL and five daughters Suzanne Cassidy and her husband Bruce of Greer, South Carolina, Denise McShane and her husband Jim of North Providence, Lucille L’Heureux of Gilsum, New Hampshire, Diane Leblanc and her husband Andre and Lee Hinton and her husband Robert both of Cumberland RI.
He is survived by 10 grandchildren Kerri, Tina, Bethani, Isaac, Michael, Rebecca, Michelle, Aimee, Alyssa and Kayla and 9 great-grandchildren as well as 1 great- great-granddaughter. He was the brother of Donald Godin of Central Falls, Pauline Peloquin of Attleboro, Estelle Comire of Woonsocket and the late Rene Godin of Manville. He was the longtime companion of Claudette Gentes of Cumberland, former husband of the late Helen Irene (Plante) Godin and special godfather of Debbie (Pinette) Moriarty of CA. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and their families.
Everyone is welcome to gather to honor, remember and pray for Donat at his funeral on Monday October 19, 2026 at 9:00 am from the Menard-Lacouture Funeral Home 127 Carrington Ave. Woonsocket followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am in St. James Church on Division St. in Manville. Visiting hours are Sunday October 18th from 3:00-6:00 pm. Donat will be laid to rest at St. James Cemetery in Manville at a later date.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, RI Chapter 245 Waterman St. Suite 306 Providence, RI. 02906 or www.alz.org.
www.menardfuneralhome.com