Obituary of Keith F Goodman

In memory of our father, Keith Franklin Goodman, together may we acknowledge and share our joy in the gift of his life, and the pain his passing brings. In sharing the joy, may we lessen the pain and remember more clearly the gift.

Keith was a mere 81 years when he passed away in the early hours of Tuesday, January 25, 2022, in Marlboro, NJ surrounded by his loving daughters, Jeanine Rosenthal and Denise Robbins. They were on their way to New Hampshire, but Dad decided to cut the trip short, losing his battle with lung cancer.

It’s hard to say goodbye. We wish we had more time, and that we spent more time together. Even though Keith is gone, he left his legacy; a legacy of always wanting to help, and a better to be busy attitude. The way Dad touched our lives will remain and keep the memories alive.

Even as he fought his battle, Keith never lost his sense of humor. Sitting in the doctor’s office when the doctor asked, ‘How are you feeling?’ Dad glanced around the room and counted the number of girls and grinned. ‘How can I feel bad.’

Dad was friendly and always wanted to help…anyone. His mantra through the years was ‘How can I help?’ It didn’t matter that you were family, friend, or neighbor. If you needed anything all you had to do was ask. Even then you didn’t have to ask. If he saw an opportunity to give someone a hand, he would offer it. Whether the loan of a car, a place to sleep, or just someone to mow your yard, dad would happily volunteer if it helped someone out.  His objective was to make the day a little lighter/brighter for whomever he met.

Besides his family and helping others, Keith had two passions. Golf and woodworking. Even during his battle with lung cancer, he played golf three days a week. And boy did he complain if he shot in the 80s. At 81 he believed he should shoot his normal 78. From the time we were children, dad did all kinds of woodworking projects. He made a clock for his mother-in-law, chess boards, jewelry boxes, and even bedroom furniture. This past holiday, Keith handmade twenty-five cutting boards as Christmas presents. Nothing was better than a handmade gift from the heart.

When Keith and Mary Kay were younger, they had the privilege of being foster parents to 34 children in need. They welcomed them into their home as though they were their own. The sad part of this was that they all had to leave at some point, and it was always a tearful event. They had so much love to give.

Keith is survived by his daughters (Denise Robbins, Jeanine Rosenthal, Nikki Pilvelis, his grandchildren, and many more relatives and friends. Dad drew his strength from his family and left his legacy.

Though his passing was much too soon and leaves a hole in our hearts and the hearts of everyone who knew Keith. Rather than focus on the sadness of Dad’s passing, our wish is that everyone focuses on the memories they shared with a down to earth, caring, and creative man. Carry on his legacy of ‘what can I do to help’.

To the BEST DAD EVER, we know you are swinging a club in heaven and helping all the angels.

Give mom a hug in heaven from us.