Edmund Joseph Godula
September 14, 1963 -
July 30, 2026
Edmund "Ed" Joseph Godula, 62, of Kenosha, Wisconsin, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, July 30, 2026. Ed was a devoted public servant, a lifelong performer, and a man of wide-ranging curiosity whose enthusiasm for history, science, and the arts touched everyone who knew him.
Ed grew up in the Chicago area and attended Carmel Catholic High School in Mundelein, where he found an early love of the stage, appearing in productions of My Fair Lady, Brigadoon, and Fiddler on the Roof. That passion followed him to Loyola University Chicago, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in physics while continuing to perform on campus, taking the stage in Grease and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. He also found a lot of joy during that time playing piano and keyboards with a Serbian wedding band.
After graduating, Ed put his scientific curiosity to work at Chicago's Shedd Aquarium, before beginning what would become the defining chapter of his career with the Kenosha Public Library, where he served for more than twenty years.
At the library, Ed was a familiar and beloved presence, driving the bookmobile out to neighborhoods across the city, reading from Harry Potter at the Kenosha Farmers’ Market and leading history tours that let him share his love of local history with the community. When news of his passing reached his colleagues, all Kenosha Public Library branches closed for a day so staff could grieve together — a testament to how much he was appreciated.
Ed's love of performance never left him. For years he volunteered with RG Productions, lending his voice and talent to radio shows. In 2014, Ed directed RG Productions' radio drama adaptation of Fahrenheit 451, performed as part of UW-Parkside's Big Read, and his work on the cast, direction, and sound earned him the Silver Mike Award for Most Outstanding Show of the year. He adapted and starred in several other popular radio plays including War of the Worlds, Frankenstein, and other seasonal productions at Halloween and Christmas. Ed also spent time as a supernumerary with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, sharing the stage of one of the country's great opera houses in a pursuit that brought him tremendous joy.
Apart from the years he spent away at Loyola University Chicago, Ed made his home with his beloved mother, Ann (Dryan) Godula, who passed away less than six months before he did. Those who knew them both find comfort in knowing that the two have been reunited, along with his father Edmund A. Godula, who died during Ed’s teenage years.
Ed will be remembered for his intelligence, his curiosity, his quick wit, and the genuine delight he took in a broad range of subjects— whether behind the wheel of the bookmobile, leading a history tour, on the air with RG Productions, or in costume at the Lyric Opera. He leaves behind a community of friends, colleagues, and library patrons whose lives he enriched over two decades. He is survived by his sister Genie Godula, brother-in-law, James Parrack, nephew and niece Jonah Parrack and Zoe Parrack, of Paris France, as well as many aunts, cousins and friends in the Chicago area and the Twin Cities.
In addition to his parents, Ed was preceded in death by his grandparents, Chester and Anna Dryan and his uncle, Chester Dryan, as well as other well-loved aunts and uncles.
A gathering of relatives and friends honoring Edmund’s life will be held in October.
More information will be available at a later date.
Posted by:
Mary (DeeDee) LenehanPosted on:
August 20, 2026Pained to hear of Ed’s passing at too young an age. It’s been ages since we knew one another as children, and many miles separated us - but our visits to the Godula home were made special in no small part due to Ed’s welcoming, enthusiastic friendship. Sometimes kids are slow to acquaint with one another - especially when visits are rare. Certainly our mothers’ tight bond helped, but Ed’s cheerful camaraderie clinched the deal - and made us want to visit more than we would ever be able to.
Heartened to read of his enviable career with the Kenosha library (that photo says it all) - and moved by his colleagues outpouring of respect and heartbreak. A life well lived, truly. It was a pleasure to know him.
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August 19, 2026I'm sorry to hear the passing of Edmund. He was loved. My condolences and support for the family.
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John CostelloPosted on:
August 19, 2026Last time I saw you was when you portrayed Eugene in Grease. Lost touch shortly thereafter. I am crushed by this news. Always looked forward to seeing you again and the joy you always brought with you. Rest in peace, old friend. ❤️ -Cos.
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ChristinePosted on:
August 18, 2026I was very sad to see this! As a community member, I truly appreciated his help and kindness all of these years! ,Many prayers and thoughts to his friends and loved ones!
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Hamilton FamilyPosted on:
August 10, 2026We have such fond memories of Ed, especially at our family gatherings years ago in Barrington and Kenosha. Ed was an intelligent and kind person. Genie - our thoughts and prayers are with you & your family with Ed's passing and your Mom's recent passing.
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Sarah MPosted on:
August 9, 2026Hi, I worked with Ed at the library in Kenosha. I just wanted to let his family know, that Ed was so kind and such a special person to me. He was always so fun to work with, and I enjoyed watching him perform Edgar Allan Poe at the Haunted Simmons tour. He was incredibly smart, and I’m so glad to have known him in my time working at the library. He also was so kind to me just in person, he would help me with whatever tasks I needed help with when working and never complained about it either (I am 8 months pregnant and had a hard time, a Lot of the time), and I will forever be grateful to him for what he did for me. I moved away from Kenosha very suddenly, and I know he tried to come see me one last time before I moved, which was a week before his passing. I wish I could have seen him one more time as well, or at least been able to call him to say goodbye. That is one regret I have had in these last few weeks. I wish I could also be there at his celebration of life in October, but I live over a thousand miles away now and am expecting my little one any day now. I hope that his family is doing ok, with losing him and his mom in such a short amount of time of each other. But I know that at least they are no longer suffering and are together again. And that brings some comfort for me, and hopefully the family as well.
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Jennifer KozelouPosted on:
August 9, 2026I worked with Ed for many years at the Kenosha Public Library. He was always so kind above all else, and brought a calm presence into every situation I ever encountered with him. I always appreciated his creativity and love of performance. His unexpected passing leaves a hole in our community, and we are grateful for the time we had.
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Joey PuleraPosted on:
August 8, 2026Sorely missed...rest in peace
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Wendy Mae RizziPosted on:
August 7, 2026I was a part of his Griefshare. He sat next to me and talked about his Moms passing. He shared stories with us all. He was a great man. Now even more , things I didn’t know about him personally. Rest in peace my friend.
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Cindy PetersonPosted on:
August 7, 2026I met Ed in our grief share group shortly after his mom passed away in February. I found Ed to be a gentle soul and was profoundly saddened when I had heard that he had passed away. My sincere condolences to his family and all who knew him.
