Bret George Goddard, a big-hearted, straight-shooting, wise-cracking force for good, died September 25, 2021.

Equally at home with the birds in his garden and the massive truck engines in his shop, Bret was a self-made man who built both a business and a backyard sanctuary where anyone would be lucky to spend an afternoon. He was a giving husband, father, brother, son and neighbor.

Born in San Francisco in 1958, Bret earned his traveling stripes early. The second son in a Navy family, he spent his childhood in California, Virginia, Massachusetts, the Philippines, Japan and Hawaii. Bret loved life overseas. He traded bubble gum wrappers for slingshots across a fence in the Philippines; sparked curiosity with his strawberry blond hair as he hunted for treasures at local stores in Japan; and in Hawaii fished in Pearl Harbor itself.

While still overseas, he and his brother would go out in a typhoon and tear pieces of paper into the wind to see them fly from their hands.

By the time he was 14 years old, Bret crossed the U.S. five times and climbed Mount Fuji once.
Bret attended Annandale High School in Annandale, Va.

He married the love of his life, Ann Reynolds Goddard. Both were kind at their core and shared a warm, wry sense of humor, making each other smile and laugh at a glance. They doted on their grandchildren, had disregard for nonsense and shared a love of buying Tiffany jewelry. He shopped so much at Tiffany's that he was often invited to private shopping events there. A fact he was very proud of! When Ann became sick, Bret was her constant caretaker, handling the difficult moments with calm devotion, even as his own heart was breaking.

Bret was a former trucker and was part owner and sole operator of H.O Engen, Inc. a heavy duty truck repair company for over 20 years. No doubt, many of us have benefitted from the trucks he put back on the road. A caring boss, Bret looked out for his team and put in long hours because he simply could not do a job halfway.
In his backyard, he created an oasis where he knew the wild birds by name, and they knew him. Many of them are expected at his graveside service. Daily you could find him hand feeding “his” hawks or fighting his nemesis the squirrel. He worked magic with wildlife, taking thousands of striking photos which were published in national publications such as Bird Watcher’s Digest. His art was displayed and sold in local galleries.

He was a quick-witted, easy-going, affectionate wise-aleck who lived his life on his terms. When his siblings discussed who was the smartest member of the family, the argument often -- though not always -- ended with the conclusion that it was him. What was never debated: he had the biggest heart.

Bret died peacefully at home and will be laid to rest next to his beloved Ann.

He is survived by a loving family, grateful to have had him in their lives: his daughter June Noel DeMott; son-in-law Jason Anthony DeMott, and grandchildren Cailyn Noel DeMott and Parker Anthony DeMott of Gainesville, Va.; his mother Patricia Ann Flanagan Goddard of Annandale, Va.; his brother Thomas A. Goddard and brother-in-law Charlie Wineberg of Nellysford, Va.; his sister Carolyn McWilliams and brother-in-law Jim McWilliams of Downingtown, Pa.; and his sister Lisa Desjardins and brother-in-law Jason Desjardins of Falls Church, Va.; his nieces Kelsey McWilliams, Michelle McWilliams and Shannon McWilliams; his nephew Maximo Desjardins, many beloved cousins in the Callan and Flanagan families; and his best friend and faithful dog, Roxy. He was predeceased by his father, Thomas Bohner Goddard and his sister, Mary Angela Goddard.

A graveside service will be held Tuesday, October 5, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. in Buckhall Cemetery, 10271 Moore Drive, Manassas, Virginia, 20111.

In lieu of flowers, those wanting to honor Bret can contact Manassas Park Police patrol chief Frank Winston at 703-257-2624 or f.winston@manassasparkva.gov and ask for speed cameras, signs or other intervention on the 100 block of Kent Drive, near Meeker Street, to get cars there to slow down.

Please sign the guestbook at www.bakerpostfh.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Bret George Goddard, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.