Obituary of Donald E. Goodman

DONALD F. GOODMAN

LATHAM - Donald E. Goodman, age 96, of Latham, passed away on August 8, 2024. He was born on July 9,1928 in Albany, NY. He was the son of the late Jerome A. and Mabel T. (Eddy) Goodman and beloved and devoted husband of the late Virginia L. (Newbold) Goodman. Donald and Virginia shared a cherished union of 61 years prior to her passing in 2012.

Don attended School #18, Hackett Jr. High School and Albany High School in Albany. While in high school he was the leader of the popular Don Goodman Band which played for many dances and canteens in the area. He was a graduate of Parks College of Saint Louis University with a BS degree in Aviation with a major in Meteorology. Don loved flying and was taking lessons before he could drive. He obtained his Private Pilot's License while in college. While at Parks he met and married his wife, Virginia Lee Newbold.

Don was a veteran of World War II with service as a Sargent in the US Army serving in Okinawa. He was also a Veteran of the Korean War serving as a Weather Officer in the US Air Force. He was active in the USAF Reserve attaining the rank of Major.

Don owned a neighborhood grocery called Don's Flavorland in Albany for a number of years. After that, he worked at the Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory (KAPL) for 30 years, helping to design naval nuclear reactors. He retired in 1990 as a Senior Computer Systems Analyst.

Don's main interest was being with his family. They had a camp on Sacandaga Lake which everyone enjoyed. They were there almost every warm day during the summer. The kids grew up on water skis and loved to swim and go boating. Don and Virginia (Ginny) spent many springs visiting their son Gary who worked in Jupiter and relatives in Jacksonville, Florida. They traveled often, making many trips to the St. Louis area to visit Ginny's ten siblings. They spent many vacations on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Don was active in sports in his younger years, playing intramural football at Parks, pitching for the KAPL softball team and bowling.

Don was the proud and loving father of Sharon (Mark) Wright, Cynthia (David) Lewis, Kathy (Robert) Racette and Gary Goodman. He was also the grandfather of Sean (Beckie) Burlingame, Adam Burlingame, Amanda (James) Sheflin, Caitlin (Michael) Dorgan, Travis Walion, Alexander (Keri) Racette, Nicole Racette and Victoria (Derrick) Rokjer Jr. as well as the great-grandfather of Gavan and Kelsie Burlingame, Wesley, Calvin and Russell Rokjer, Callie, Lacey and Kenna Dorgan, Cody and Cameron Racette and Brailyn, Kamdyn and Brixton Wright.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours on Monday, August 12th, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at The Dufresne & Cavanaugh Funeral Home, 149 Old Loudon Rd., Latham. A prayer service will immediately follow the calling hours beginning at 12:00 PM with the Reverend Elaine Woroby officiating. Interment to follow in the family plot of the Albany Rural Cemetery.

For further information or to leave a message of condolence please visit www.dufresneandcavanaugh.com.