George W. Goodman
Railroad executive, community leader, family man
George Woods Goodman, a former railroad executive, community leader, avid volunteer and family man, died peacefully in his sleep on March 7 after a long battle with heart disease, cancer and kidney failure. He was 88.
A resident of Warwick, Goodman was born on March 1, 1920 in Tamaqua, Pa. He was the son of John and Anna Harton Goodman.
George had many loves in his life – his family, trains, the outdoors and the many people he encountered. But his number one love was his high school sweetheart, Mary Lee Goodman, to whom he was married. They celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary last May.
George enjoyed traveling to visit family and friends. A highlight was attending the Olympic Games when they were held in the U.S. and Canada.
George began his long career in the railroad industry working as a summer laborer maintaining the tracks while in college. He advanced to become purchasing agent for the Lehigh & Hudson River Railroad and then held the same post for Conrail until his retirement in 1980.
After this retirement, he was active in the community becoming the first executive director of the Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce. During this tenure as executive director, the first Applefest was held in 1988. He was a 40-year member of the Excelsior Hose Company. He volunteered with Meals on Wheels and was active with his wife, Mary, in Literacy Volunteers of America. In addition, they were involved with America Field Service, a student exchange program.
In 2004, George was honored when he was presented with the United Way’s Marion S. Murphy “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” Award. In addition, he and his wife were named “Citizens of the Year” in 1987.
George Goodman was a veteran of WWII where he served in the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific. He was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Victory Medal and the American Theater Medal for his service.
A graduate of Bucknell University in the class of 1941, George held a degree in business. While in college, he competed in boxing and was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity.
A strong family man with a big and supportive family, Goodman is survived by his wife, Mary. He is also survived by four children: Anne Goodman Rash and her husband, Tony, of Mansfield Center, Conn.; John Goodman and his wife, Patti, of North Salem, N.Y.; Tom Goodman and his wife, Victoria, of Catonsville, Md.; and Betzi Goodman Gannon and her husband, Bill, of Cambridge, Vt.
He is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Leeanne Rash Elliott, Todd Rash, Westlee Goodman, Kiernan Goodman, Blaise Goodman, Jason Hastings, Casey Goodman, Kathryn Goodman Brown, Riley Goodman and Lezah Gannon. Four great grandchildren are also survivors: McKenna Elliott, Logan Elliott, Jane Goodman and Rowan Hastings.
A member of St. Stephen the Martyr Church, Goodman served as a eucharistic minister for many years.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 11 at St. Stephens Church. No visitation. Private cremation. A reception will follow the Mass at the Raymond Hose Company at 200West Street, Warwick.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Literacy Volunteers of Western Orange County, Warwick Ambulance Community Service, St. Stephens Church or a charity of your choice.