Obituary of Donald R. Goodman

Don, a life long resident of Baldwinsville and the son of the late Stanley and Lillian Goodman, also of Baldwinsville, passed away peacefully on March 17, 2009 after a brief illness. He is survived by his wife Norma (Sartor) of 56 years. He is also survived by his son Michael and daughter in law Sharon Goodman, his son William, and his daughter Linda Dolmatch and son-in-law Alan Dolmatch. Don loved and enjoyed his two grandchildren Spencer and Bailey Goodman. Sadly, Bailey pre-deceased Don in June 2007. Don served in the US Army during the Korean War and lived in Fort Bragg North Carolina for a short period. He taught school at Central Tech High School in Syracuse for many years and later joined the administration working with the State on job training seminars for technical high schools. Through out his life Don was committed to serving his community in many forms of volunteerism. Don was a member of the American Legion and a former member of the local Grange. His particular areas of interest involved enhancing opportunities in the field of education, job training and career advancement. He served on the Baldwinsville School District Board of Education for 5 years in the 1970s. Later Don was a member of the Onondaga BOCES Board for 7 years and served as its chairman for 2 years. Don was also a former board member of the SECNY and ACLU Credit Unions. During his many years of public service Don was the Commissioner of the Maple Road Water District, he was the chairman and founding member of the Van Buren Town Parks and Recreation Commission which initiated recreational activities for town residents at local facilities like Saturday at Flosses Roller Rink and the Thursday night State Fair Ice Rink skating before the Town had facilities of its own. As recently as January 2009 Don was an active member of the Friends of the Baldwinsville Library, the McHarries Legacy, and the Beauchamp Historical Society. In addition, he was also a current member of the Finger Lakes Antique & Classic Boat Association where he enjoyed volunteering each year at the July boat show in Skaneateles. He was the current chairman of the Community Counsel on Careers of Greater Syracuse. This organization funds grants to other local non-profits who offer assistance with career related activities. He was a current board member of the Solvay Public Library Workplace Competency Resource Center and recently obtained grant funds for this program through the Community Counsel on Careers of Greater Syracuse. One of Don’s most significant contributions to his hometown of Baldwinsville was the successful Public Access Television Station known as PAC-B. In 1994 the Van Buren Town Board asked Don to investigate the feasibility of creating a local station. After much research, seminars and visits to other public access stations an adhoc committee was formed to start building the resources for a station to serve the Greater Baldwinsville community. Don served as the first board chairman assisted by many other dedicated volunteers who still work for the station 14 years later. Don’s wife Norma was also chairman of the board for three and a half years. Together they were a team of non-stop energy and ideas for the station. No wonder Don could not find time to go to the gym. Prior to his death Don made the decision to donate his body to science. Hopefully he will teach the researchers a thing or two. The family would like to thank the wonderful Doctor’s, nurses, staff and Sisters of St. Joseph’s hospital for their compassionate and professional care of Don and the family while he was in the hospital in the oncology unit and the intensive care unit for two weeks. Memorial Services: 11:00am Saturday, March 21, 2009 at the First United Methodist Church, Baldwinsville. Calling Hours are 4-8pm Friday at Falardeau Funeral Home, 93 Downer St., Baldwinsville. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be sent to one of two important initiatives Don held dear to his heart: First, Bailey’s Book, a literacy initiative in memory of Don’s granddaughter Bailey Goodman. Donations may be sent to Debra Tandoi c/o Fairport Central School District (FCSD) Developmental Asset Initiative, 10 Baumer Place, Fairport NY 14450. Checks should be made payable to FCSD Developmental Asset Initiative. For more information can be found at www.fairport.org/baileysbook. Second, PAC B Community TV for the Greater Baldwinsville Area PO Box 472 Baldwinsville, NY 13027. Please note donations for Don Goodman.