Theta Chi - Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Remembering Our Brother and Friend Epsilon Alumni Share Memories of Sam Godin '89 Epsilon Echo THE NEWSLETTER FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS OF EPSILON CHAPTER OF THETA CHI AT WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE SUMMER 2022 alumni.oxepsilon.org "e Godfathers" at the EBA Open Golf Tournament. Pictured: Chris Rett '90, the late Sam Godin '89, Mike Periello '89, and Don Gallucci '89. Sam as festive Robin Hood at the 1997 Melvin Halloween Party. Sam proudly displays the latest Riptide models, which he helped design. (Continued on page 2) W ith great sadness, we must report that Sam Godin '89 entered Chapter Eternal after passing away late last year in his sleep. Included below are memories from his many friends in eta Chi and beyond. We will all miss you, Sam; you touched us all! I last spoke to Sam at the golf tournament in August 2021. Before the tournament started, we had a great conversation about his next steps in life. He was very optimistic about the future and was considering going back to school to broaden his skill set and knowledge base. He was always looking forward and to the bright side of things. From the day I met Sam, he was incredibly funny and such a joy to be around. I remember the many late-night, post-party, deep conversations with Sam that always ended with some serious belly laughing and endless memories. I also remember he attended my very first Halloween party in 1997 at my townhouse in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, dressed as festive Robin Hood. I will miss you Sammy and will always remember the times we shared at eta Chi and beyond. May you rest in peace! –James Melvin '85 Sam was always reliable and super friendly. I remember a party at the house; Sam was amazed at how cool this whole event was and he loved just being there with his Brothers. He was infectious with his humor, although very subtle, and I loved having him as a Brother. Rest in peace, Brother Sam! –Jim Popp '88 On Pledge Day, Matt Vessie '87 and I picked Sam up at his dorm for the annual pledge rally. We had my Volkswagen Beetle decked out in duct tape racing stripes and a cardboard whale tail, and Matt and I wore suits and motorcycle helmets. Of course, Sam was all in for that, and we proceeded to rip around Worcester, including on an off-road trek through Institute Park! Sam was my only Little Brother in the house, and I'll always remember the many good times we had, including a road trip to visit him in California. Sam had just moved in with a new roommate, and Mark Chisholm '89 and I showed up the same day and slept on the couch. I miss you, Sam! –Dave Polcari '88 Sam Godin was a friend and appreciated by many. His 'let's make things happen' motto was a fun approach to this world and will be missed. –Jim Wachala '88 In early 2015, Sam and I met up at an EBA social at the Boynton. I hadn't seen him in at least a decade or more, but it was like no time had passed at all. He was back in the area taking care of his father and looking to get back into mechanical engineering after doing other things for a decade or more. He was the number one employee at Riptide, and although he hadn't done any engineering work in a long time, it took him no time to start making major design contributions. Sam was a great mechanical engineer and an expert on the CAD tools. He brought a ton of levity to the high stress of a start-up and helped us quickly get going. –Jeff Smith '93 What a blessing Sammy was and is! Every time I ran into him or saw him on Facebook, his smile was infectious. I still smile every time I think of him. May he rest in peace with that same smile and spirit. –Ray Durling '87 We look around to try to emulate skills or traits. For me, Sam is the gold standard for displaying a good-natured presence and putting a room totally at ease. Was it his chuckle, his full attention to listening, or his sense of humor? I was never able to fully comprehend how he was so successful in these skills! One of my fondest memories was driving down to 'Micky' Lavers, listening to the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas, and playing Pitch through all hours of the night! Sam was a man like no other. –Mike Mahoney '91 Sam was a terrific Brother and is missed by all. When he and I were leaving for our epic cross- country trip to San Diego, the Brothers were kind enough to send us off with a great party and a mix tape of California songs! It was a great time in my life and an amazing journey with Sam. As we were leaving the house, Sam informed me that he didn't know how to drive a stick shift! His good company was still worth it for me to do all the driving in my parent's Mazda 626! –Erik Maki '89

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