Second of three sons born to Medric Milton Godbout and Ruth Katherine Sanguinetti.
Grandson of Fredrick Godbout 1879-1956 of Canada and Agusta Ellen Nelson 1886-1941 of Sweden, David Joseph Sanguinetti 1887-1936 and Katherine Hoellen 1897-1981.
Husband of Dianne, father of Felicia, grandfather of Jason. Secondly, most beloved husband of Sheri.
One of the most gentle, loving, kind men ever. Worked at AP until he came to work after washing the dog who encountered a skunk. His co-workers were taken back that he could not smell his clothes, and approached his wife, Sheri. That was the first step to a long journey, being diagnosed with Alzheimer's that ended ever so sadly this month. Sheri would take Blair everywhere and anywhere, especially if it was a concert or had to do with music. Travels and stories to last a life time's memory. The doctors were stunned that he decline was so slow! Enter Covid, and concerts stopped. Blair plummeted, and left us from their incredible home in Crystal Falls. We have lost a genuine gentle man, a rare treasure who we will remember forever.
Blair left us Friday night at 8:00 pm.
Obit:
Blair Jason Godbout, age 66, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, March 19, 2021 in Sonora.
Born on Nov 7 1964 in San Jose, Blair graduated from Del Mar High School in 1972 and then went on to earn a BA degree in photo journalism from San Jose State University. Blair worked for various news organizations on Colorado's northern Front Range from 1979 to 1987 when he and his family returned to southern California where he had a successful 27 years career as Photo Editor for Associated Press.
Upon early retirement in 2014, Blair, and his wife, Sheri, relocated to Sonora where they enjoyed pursuing their passions for mountain living, music, playing the congas, dining out, dancing and spending time with family and friends.
He is survived by his current wife, Sheri, former wife Dianne, daughter Felicia, grandson Jason, brothers Mark and Craig. Blair was preceded in death by his father Medric and mother Ruth, sister-in-law Cyndee Meek Godbout in 2020.
While he is no longer with us in the physical world, his memories, soul and spirit live on in all of us. a celebration of Blair's life will be announced in the future.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Merced Walk to End Alzheimer's, Blair's Dream Team: act.alz.org/goto/blair or mail to the Alzheimer's Association, PO Box 16007, Fresno, CA. 93755.
Blair touched and affected so many people's lives in ways not understood or known until after his passing, this being a classic example of what he meant to others. A letter from an AP associate:
Hello Sheri. I would like to share a bit of my history with your dear husband Blair. I wrote the following having heard that Blair had finished his earthly course which saddens me deeply.
Reed and the AP Los Angeles family, you cannot imagine the sadness that I feel having read about the passing of Blair. Indulge me please, for I want to share a little anecdote about Blair. June 28, 1992, a Sunday, a 7.3 magnitude earthquake stuck Landers, California, northeast of Palm Springs. This particular Sunday, a fellow pilot and I were going to fly his Cessna 210 in the region. I asked if we could divert to Landers for an overall, aerial shoot of the event in the off-chance someone might be interested. He agreed. Having landed, I drove from Redlands to AP Los Angeles, where I met Nick Ut, Reed Saxon, Herb Hemming, Paul Harrington, John Hopper and Blair Godbout. Blair reviewed my images and published two of them. He was duly intrigued and surprised by my tenacity to fly and drive the images to AP Los Angeles. So impressed, he offered me a stringer position. He wrote in a daily memo at AP, about the experience and offered to mentor me. His patience and kindness despite my 'inexperienced' was touching. Direct, but kind. Never belittling. I close my eyes, and I hear his 'Barry White' voice in my eyes [ears]. My photographic career, did not begin with Blair, but got only better and seasoned by Blair. Merci beaucoup Blair, grace à toi, je suis désomais photographe pigiste à AP Paris. On attend le beau jour de la relève maintenant. Dors bien mon ami.
Grandson of Fredrick Godbout 1879-1956 of Canada and Agusta Ellen Nelson 1886-1941 of Sweden, David Joseph Sanguinetti 1887-1936 and Katherine Hoellen 1897-1981.
Husband of Dianne, father of Felicia, grandfather of Jason. Secondly, most beloved husband of Sheri.
One of the most gentle, loving, kind men ever. Worked at AP until he came to work after washing the dog who encountered a skunk. His co-workers were taken back that he could not smell his clothes, and approached his wife, Sheri. That was the first step to a long journey, being diagnosed with Alzheimer's that ended ever so sadly this month. Sheri would take Blair everywhere and anywhere, especially if it was a concert or had to do with music. Travels and stories to last a life time's memory. The doctors were stunned that he decline was so slow! Enter Covid, and concerts stopped. Blair plummeted, and left us from their incredible home in Crystal Falls. We have lost a genuine gentle man, a rare treasure who we will remember forever.
Blair left us Friday night at 8:00 pm.
Obit:
Blair Jason Godbout, age 66, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, March 19, 2021 in Sonora.
Born on Nov 7 1964 in San Jose, Blair graduated from Del Mar High School in 1972 and then went on to earn a BA degree in photo journalism from San Jose State University. Blair worked for various news organizations on Colorado's northern Front Range from 1979 to 1987 when he and his family returned to southern California where he had a successful 27 years career as Photo Editor for Associated Press.
Upon early retirement in 2014, Blair, and his wife, Sheri, relocated to Sonora where they enjoyed pursuing their passions for mountain living, music, playing the congas, dining out, dancing and spending time with family and friends.
He is survived by his current wife, Sheri, former wife Dianne, daughter Felicia, grandson Jason, brothers Mark and Craig. Blair was preceded in death by his father Medric and mother Ruth, sister-in-law Cyndee Meek Godbout in 2020.
While he is no longer with us in the physical world, his memories, soul and spirit live on in all of us. a celebration of Blair's life will be announced in the future.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Merced Walk to End Alzheimer's, Blair's Dream Team: act.alz.org/goto/blair or mail to the Alzheimer's Association, PO Box 16007, Fresno, CA. 93755.
Blair touched and affected so many people's lives in ways not understood or known until after his passing, this being a classic example of what he meant to others. A letter from an AP associate:
Hello Sheri. I would like to share a bit of my history with your dear husband Blair. I wrote the following having heard that Blair had finished his earthly course which saddens me deeply.
Reed and the AP Los Angeles family, you cannot imagine the sadness that I feel having read about the passing of Blair. Indulge me please, for I want to share a little anecdote about Blair. June 28, 1992, a Sunday, a 7.3 magnitude earthquake stuck Landers, California, northeast of Palm Springs. This particular Sunday, a fellow pilot and I were going to fly his Cessna 210 in the region. I asked if we could divert to Landers for an overall, aerial shoot of the event in the off-chance someone might be interested. He agreed. Having landed, I drove from Redlands to AP Los Angeles, where I met Nick Ut, Reed Saxon, Herb Hemming, Paul Harrington, John Hopper and Blair Godbout. Blair reviewed my images and published two of them. He was duly intrigued and surprised by my tenacity to fly and drive the images to AP Los Angeles. So impressed, he offered me a stringer position. He wrote in a daily memo at AP, about the experience and offered to mentor me. His patience and kindness despite my 'inexperienced' was touching. Direct, but kind. Never belittling. I close my eyes, and I hear his 'Barry White' voice in my eyes [ears]. My photographic career, did not begin with Blair, but got only better and seasoned by Blair. Merci beaucoup Blair, grace à toi, je suis désomais photographe pigiste à AP Paris. On attend le beau jour de la relève maintenant. Dors bien mon ami.
Second of three sons born to Medric Milton Godbout and Ruth Katherine Sanguinetti.
Grandson of Fredrick Godbout 1879-1956 of Canada and Agusta Ellen Nelson 1886-1941 of Sweden, David Joseph Sanguinetti 1887-1936 and Katherine Hoellen 1897-1981.
Husband of Dianne, father of Felicia, grandfather of Jason. Secondly, most beloved husband of Sheri.
One of the most gentle, loving, kind men ever. Worked at AP until he came to work after washing the dog who encountered a skunk. His co-workers were taken back that he could not smell his clothes, and approached his wife, Sheri. That was the first step to a long journey, being diagnosed with Alzheimer's that ended ever so sadly this month. Sheri would take Blair everywhere and anywhere, especially if it was a concert or had to do with music. Travels and stories to last a life time's memory. The doctors were stunned that he decline was so slow! Enter Covid, and concerts stopped. Blair plummeted, and left us from their incredible home in Crystal Falls. We have lost a genuine gentle man, a rare treasure who we will remember forever.
Blair left us Friday night at 8:00 pm.
Obit:
Blair Jason Godbout, age 66, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, March 19, 2021 in Sonora.
Born on Nov 7 1964 in San Jose, Blair graduated from Del Mar High School in 1972 and then went on to earn a BA degree in photo journalism from San Jose State University. Blair worked for various news organizations on Colorado's northern Front Range from 1979 to 1987 when he and his family returned to southern California where he had a successful 27 years career as Photo Editor for Associated Press.
Upon early retirement in 2014, Blair, and his wife, Sheri, relocated to Sonora where they enjoyed pursuing their passions for mountain living, music, playing the congas, dining out, dancing and spending time with family and friends.
He is survived by his current wife, Sheri, former wife Dianne, daughter Felicia, grandson Jason, brothers Mark and Craig. Blair was preceded in death by his father Medric and mother Ruth, sister-in-law Cyndee Meek Godbout in 2020.
While he is no longer with us in the physical world, his memories, soul and spirit live on in all of us. a celebration of Blair's life will be announced in the future.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Merced Walk to End Alzheimer's, Blair's Dream Team: act.alz.org/goto/blair or mail to the Alzheimer's Association, PO Box 16007, Fresno, CA. 93755.
Blair touched and affected so many people's lives in ways not understood or known until after his passing, this being a classic example of what he meant to others. A letter from an AP associate:
Hello Sheri. I would like to share a bit of my history with your dear husband Blair. I wrote the following having heard that Blair had finished his earthly course which saddens me deeply.
Reed and the AP Los Angeles family, you cannot imagine the sadness that I feel having read about the passing of Blair. Indulge me please, for I want to share a little anecdote about Blair. June 28, 1992, a Sunday, a 7.3 magnitude earthquake stuck Landers, California, northeast of Palm Springs. This particular Sunday, a fellow pilot and I were going to fly his Cessna 210 in the region. I asked if we could divert to Landers for an overall, aerial shoot of the event in the off-chance someone might be interested. He agreed. Having landed, I drove from Redlands to AP Los Angeles, where I met Nick Ut, Reed Saxon, Herb Hemming, Paul Harrington, John Hopper and Blair Godbout. Blair reviewed my images and published two of them. He was duly intrigued and surprised by my tenacity to fly and drive the images to AP Los Angeles. So impressed, he offered me a stringer position. He wrote in a daily memo at AP, about the experience and offered to mentor me. His patience and kindness despite my 'inexperienced' was touching. Direct, but kind. Never belittling. I close my eyes, and I hear his 'Barry White' voice in my eyes [ears]. My photographic career, did not begin with Blair, but got only better and seasoned by Blair. Merci beaucoup Blair, grace à toi, je suis désomais photographe pigiste à AP Paris. On attend le beau jour de la relève maintenant. Dors bien mon ami.
Grandson of Fredrick Godbout 1879-1956 of Canada and Agusta Ellen Nelson 1886-1941 of Sweden, David Joseph Sanguinetti 1887-1936 and Katherine Hoellen 1897-1981.
Husband of Dianne, father of Felicia, grandfather of Jason. Secondly, most beloved husband of Sheri.
One of the most gentle, loving, kind men ever. Worked at AP until he came to work after washing the dog who encountered a skunk. His co-workers were taken back that he could not smell his clothes, and approached his wife, Sheri. That was the first step to a long journey, being diagnosed with Alzheimer's that ended ever so sadly this month. Sheri would take Blair everywhere and anywhere, especially if it was a concert or had to do with music. Travels and stories to last a life time's memory. The doctors were stunned that he decline was so slow! Enter Covid, and concerts stopped. Blair plummeted, and left us from their incredible home in Crystal Falls. We have lost a genuine gentle man, a rare treasure who we will remember forever.
Blair left us Friday night at 8:00 pm.
Obit:
Blair Jason Godbout, age 66, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, March 19, 2021 in Sonora.
Born on Nov 7 1964 in San Jose, Blair graduated from Del Mar High School in 1972 and then went on to earn a BA degree in photo journalism from San Jose State University. Blair worked for various news organizations on Colorado's northern Front Range from 1979 to 1987 when he and his family returned to southern California where he had a successful 27 years career as Photo Editor for Associated Press.
Upon early retirement in 2014, Blair, and his wife, Sheri, relocated to Sonora where they enjoyed pursuing their passions for mountain living, music, playing the congas, dining out, dancing and spending time with family and friends.
He is survived by his current wife, Sheri, former wife Dianne, daughter Felicia, grandson Jason, brothers Mark and Craig. Blair was preceded in death by his father Medric and mother Ruth, sister-in-law Cyndee Meek Godbout in 2020.
While he is no longer with us in the physical world, his memories, soul and spirit live on in all of us. a celebration of Blair's life will be announced in the future.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Merced Walk to End Alzheimer's, Blair's Dream Team: act.alz.org/goto/blair or mail to the Alzheimer's Association, PO Box 16007, Fresno, CA. 93755.
Blair touched and affected so many people's lives in ways not understood or known until after his passing, this being a classic example of what he meant to others. A letter from an AP associate:
Hello Sheri. I would like to share a bit of my history with your dear husband Blair. I wrote the following having heard that Blair had finished his earthly course which saddens me deeply.
Reed and the AP Los Angeles family, you cannot imagine the sadness that I feel having read about the passing of Blair. Indulge me please, for I want to share a little anecdote about Blair. June 28, 1992, a Sunday, a 7.3 magnitude earthquake stuck Landers, California, northeast of Palm Springs. This particular Sunday, a fellow pilot and I were going to fly his Cessna 210 in the region. I asked if we could divert to Landers for an overall, aerial shoot of the event in the off-chance someone might be interested. He agreed. Having landed, I drove from Redlands to AP Los Angeles, where I met Nick Ut, Reed Saxon, Herb Hemming, Paul Harrington, John Hopper and Blair Godbout. Blair reviewed my images and published two of them. He was duly intrigued and surprised by my tenacity to fly and drive the images to AP Los Angeles. So impressed, he offered me a stringer position. He wrote in a daily memo at AP, about the experience and offered to mentor me. His patience and kindness despite my 'inexperienced' was touching. Direct, but kind. Never belittling. I close my eyes, and I hear his 'Barry White' voice in my eyes [ears]. My photographic career, did not begin with Blair, but got only better and seasoned by Blair. Merci beaucoup Blair, grace à toi, je suis désomais photographe pigiste à AP Paris. On attend le beau jour de la relève maintenant. Dors bien mon ami.
