The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Local hero Art Goodman remembered
Local hero Art Goodman remembered
Lorain is mourning the loss of a local hero and a pillar in the community with the passing of Art Goodman.
Lorain is mourning the loss of a local hero and a pillar in the community with the passing of Art Goodman.
Goodman, 94, was a World War II U.S. Army veteran and was involved in a myriad of different groups that supported veterans and wanted to make the local community a better place. “Art was just a guy who always wanted to be involved,” said Tim Carrion, president of the Lorain Veterans Council. “He was always engaging, and his big thing was engaging with the younger generation.
“The problem with council, and other veterans councils and organizations, is that the average age is up there. So, Art was always trying to get youth more involved with supporting and understanding the sacrifices made by veterans.” Carrion said Goodman also worked to educate youngsters on the Holocaust. “He held an annual event at the Lorain Palace (Theater),” Carrion said.
“He was strong in his faith and wanted to show the younger generation what happened during the war. “He took a lot of younger guys under his wing and touched a lot of folks in the community.”
Father figure
Goodman’s son, Ron Goodman, said his father’s life was all about doing what is right.
“The big thing for him was doing the right thing,” the younger Goodman said. “He was a big supporter of The Nord Center, to help those with mental health issues. “He was also with the Lorain Veterans Council and the Council of Lorain County Veterans.” Goodman said his dad was like a father to so many. “He was a father figure, a mentor who was like a second father, to so many,” the younger Goodman said. “He was just really a great guy that was invested in others’ lives.” Goodman said his father was proud of his opportunity to serve in the military. “He was a tech sergeant in the Army during World War II with the 36th Chemical Depot Company,” the younger Goodman said. “He was in Europe during the war. “It meant a lot to him to serve his country, and it meant a lot to support others who were there. It was a big part of his life.” Goodman said his father, along with serving as secretary for the Lorain Veterans Council and the secretary-treasure for the county vet organization, was a part of the Jewish War Veterans Post 222 in Lorain. “He was involved with so much,” Ron Goodman said. “He was also on the board of trustees for the Citizens League of Lorain.” The younger Goodman said his father also was passionate about giving blood. “It was something he picked up while in the service,” Ron Goodman said. “He was part of a live transfusion to give blood to a fellow soldier who needed it. “It sparked something in him that led to giving approximately 43 gallons of blood. It was something simple for him that did a lot of good.” The younger Goodman said his father was always quick with a smile. “For anyone that knew him, he was always quick with a smile or a joke to break the ice,” he said. “He had love, not only for his immediate family, but for his nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. “He was so involved in their lives; they all loved him. When he was growing up, he also served Lorain by helping at his parents’ store, Goodman’s Home Furnishings. In recent years, he was very active for his age, and he was always willing to do something to help out.”
Greatest Generation
Mike Kachure, commander of AMVETS Post 47 in Lorain, said Goodman will be missed. “He was part of the Greatest Generation,” Kachure said. “He was a good businessman, husband and father. “What he meant for the veteran community in Lorain, and me personally, is tremendous.” Kachure said Goodman was very energetic and was passionate about educating the youth about veterans’ sacrifices. “All he would talk about was how youth needed to know about tradition and what veterans did to give them the freedoms we have,” he said. “He, and I, recently went to (Marion L. Steele High School in Amherst) to talk about veterans. “When he was speaking, the students were on the edge of their seats listening to him.” Kachure said Goodman was a mentor of sorts for him. “I had the opportunity to have breakfast with him at Chris’ every Friday,” he said. “He gave me a lot of advice and wisdom. “He was a guy that stepped up and was always willing to start a project. For all he has done, he deserves full military honors.” Arnie Milner, a member of the Agudath B’nai Israel Synagogue in Lorain, said Goodman was very involved in his life. “He was the mentor for the youth group at the Synagogue when I was in it,” Milner said. “He was always doing something at the Synagogue and he was involved in so many things. “I started doing an annual thing at the Palace for Lorain County kids to teach them about the Holocaust, and he helped so much with that. I couldn’t have done it without him. He was a bigger than life figure. “Everyone that I’ve talked to is surprised that he passed away. Even though he was 94, he was one of those guys you just never felt was going to die. Without him, we all need to do more to make the world a better place.” Goodman’s service will take place at 11 a.m., June 10, at Salem Cemetery, 1461 North Ridge Road in Lorain.