Obituary of George F. Goldsmith

GEORGE F. GOLDSMITH JR. Latham- George F. Goldsmith, Jr., 61 of Latham, beloved husband of Jeanne M. Chenel Goldsmith, died suddenly Monday, April 12, 2010 at Samaritan Hospital, in Troy. Born in Cooperstown, he was the son of the late George F. and Glenice E. (Talbot) Goldsmith Sr. Mr. Goldsmith married his beloved Jeanne M. Chenel on Feb. 7, 1970 in Richfield Springs. George retired from the New York State Department of Parks And Recreation in Albany as a Tax Valuation Engineer in 2006. George was a union activist in the Public Employees Federation from the organization's inception. He held various union leadership positions over the years in three state agencies. George was also known for his tireless work supporting the State Employees Federated Appeal (SEFA) drive for charities. He served on the local committee since its inception, for 30 years, until in 2006 the regulations were changed and he was asked by the Office of General Services to serve as the Chair of the newly formed SEFA Council. His service and commitment were the strength behind the important developments ensuring SEFA existence for generations to come. George always put the interests of the people he represented over his own. He led his life as an example of caring and compassion for those less fortunate. Survivors in addition to his wife include his cherished children Jacquelyn Goldsmith of Springfield, MA, Jennifer (Richard) Goldsmith Mustico of Latham, Geoffrey (Jaime) Goldsmith of Watervliet and Justin Goldsmith of Latham, his cherished grandchildren Richard Patrick Mustico, Nicholas Alexander Mustico, Gregory Thomas Arthur Goldsmith and Logan Michael Goldsmith, his sisters: Donna (Doyle) Trantham and Susan (Rev. Arthur) Mack both of Hendersonville, NC, his mother in law Elizabeth S. Bingham, his brother in law Thomas D. (Mary Jo) Chenel and he is also survived by several nieces & nephews, Aunts, Uncles and Cousins. He was additionally predeceased by his father in law Howard D. Bingham and numerous Aunts and Uncles. Funeral services will be Thursday April 15, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. in the Dufresne & Cavanaugh Funeral Home 149 Old Loudon Rd. Latham, with Father David Noone officiating. Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the funeral home on Wednesday from 3-7 p.m. Interment will be in Albany Rural Cemetery in Menands. For directions, information or to light a memory candle for the family please visit www.dufresneandcavanaugh.com In lieu of flowers, please make donations in George's memory to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, American Heart Association or American Lung Association. State Employees are encouraged to make donations through SEFA.