Obituary of Godefridus Apon

Godey Apon passed away on Thursday, July 11th at his home in Aptos surrounded by his family the great age of 94. Godey was born in Rotterdam, Holland to Godefridus and Cornila Apon. He was the youngest of seven children and the only boy. He was a licensed Psychiatric Technician (LPT) and had been taking care of people since his teens in Rotterdam, Holland. His path from Rotterdam to Santa Cruz traversed three quarters of our planet and took as many unexpected turns as a Tolkien novel. Recognizing the threat of German invasion of the Netherlands (Holland) in 1938, Godey, then a 20-year-old carpenter and engineering student, joined the Dutch Army. Because of his Red Cross background during his teens, he was assigned to the Medical Corps and received his first formal medical training. The German occupation forces took him prisoner and sent him to work in a prisoner-of-war hospital which had been set up in a Dominican monastery. When his support of the Resistance was discovered his captors sent him to a labor camp from which he escaped. He was recaptured, and following a lengthy captivity escaped a second time, managing this time to reach American lines. The Americans ferried him to England where he returned to active duty with a British unit being sent to Malaysia. Once there, he won a transfer to the Dutch Indonesian Army, and he remained on active duty until his discharge in 1949. By this time, he had come to love the country, and he and his wife stayed in Indonesia. In 1953, after political unrest rocked the island country, and his wife disappeared during some intense terrorist activity, he was forced to leave Indonesia and return to his native land. Rebuilding his life, Godey entered psychiatric nurse training. Two years later he met his present wife. In 1958 Godey applied for immigration to the United States and sponsored by the former Wee Kirk in Ben Lomand. While studying English and psychology at Cabrillo College, He met Sister Alida Bonnicke, who suggested he apply to work at Dominican. He worked for Dominican for 15 years. After his retirement from Dominican, he started his own Landscaping business. In 1988 he was one of the founding organizers of the Santa Cruz Bonsai K Club. Godey loved going camping with his family, doing 4-H club activities and showing their two horses with his daughter. He enjoyed working in his garden and with his prized Bonsais. He also loved showing and teaching his two grandsons how to build and repair things. Godey was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife and his six older sisters. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Betty Apon; daughter, Christina Apon-McCabe; son-in-law, Michael McCabe; and his grandsons, Patrick and Philip McCabe. Godey will be greatly missed. Great thanks to Hospice of Santa Cruz for the wonderful care given to Godey. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, July 27th at 11:00am at Twin Lakes Church in Monschke Hall, 2701 Cabrillo College Drive Aptos, with a celebration of life to follow. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to Hospice of Santa Cruz, 940 Disc Dr., Scotts Valley, CA 65066 (831) 430-3000.