WILLIAM OGDEN GOODRICH's Obituary
Longtime Miami resident, “Bill” Goodrich, 75, passed away Aug 23, 2012, at home with his family by his side.
Bill was born in Havana, Cuba in 1937 to a French-Cuban father and Galician mother. The family moved to Coconut Grove in 1939 when his father worked for Pan American Airways based in Dinner Key. Bill attended Gesu Catholic Elementary, Citrus Grove Jr. High and Tech High Aviation School in Miami.
Bill served active duty in the United States Air Force from 1954-1958 while stationed in Hawaii and was a Reservist from 1958-1962 while attending the University of Miami. Bill worked for many years for RCA as branch Manager in Miami and later operated his own electronics and communications business in the Miami area.
Bill found a passion for skin diving while in Hawaii and was one of the original founders of the Sea Lancers Dive Club, located at Pearl Harbor, which is still in existence today and of which he was a lifetime charter member. Bill loved Hawaii and was often seen wearing his “Aloha” shirts around Miami. Bill was also the family historian and story teller. He was asked by his grandson Christopher to write about his exploits while he was stationed in Hawaii and the result was a sixty-five chapter photo book with captions and comments from Bill to his wife, sons and grandchildren to share and pass on to future generations.
Bill was married for 52 years to his childhood sweetheart Patricia LeDuc and together they built a wonderful family and many great memories. A dedication from Dad to our Mom, “My beautiful Patsy, the very best wife and friend I could have ever hoped for, without you I would not have my beautiful family, Billy”.
Bill is survived by his wife Patricia, brothers Dan, Dennis, Adrian, sisters Linda and Doria, his sons and their spouses, Jimmy & Terry, Billy & Marquette, Chris, David and grandchildren, Chris, Kyle, Zachary, Samantha, Mia and Ryan. Many Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, nieces and nephews from the Goodrich-Dumais, Lamazares and LeDuc families.
Viewing Service for Wiliam Goodrich will be on Tuesday, August 28 from 6:00 – 9:00 PM at Van Orsdel Family Funeral Chapel, 9300 SW 40th St., Miami, FL. (305) 553-0064
A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, August 29 at 11:00 AM at St. Brendan Catholic Church,8725 SW 32 Street,Miami, FL. Cemetery Services will follow at 12:15 PM at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Cemetery, 11411 NW 25th St. Doral, FL.
Donations can be made to Catholic Hospice, Inc. 305-822-2380 www.catholichealthservices.org
What’s your fondest memory of WILLIAM?
What’s a lesson you learned from WILLIAM?
Share a story where WILLIAM's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with WILLIAM you’ll never forget.
How did WILLIAM make you smile?
