Raymond Samuel Goodman, age 77, of Shelton entered into rest on Saturday, November 26, 2022 at the Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System with his loving family by his side after a long battle with cancer.
He was the cherished husband of 54 years to Peggy (Ratzenberger) Goodman. Ray was born in Derby on March 16, 1945 son of the late Samuel Akerman and Mary Lou (Biglietti) Goodman and was a lifelong Shelton resident. He grew up in what was iconically referred to as the “White City” neighborhood of Shelton. He met the love of his life at another iconic spot for youth in the 60’s, a pond at the end of Walnut Avenue in Shelton where all the kids skated. After a few days of seeing him at the skate pond, Ray finally got the nerve up to ask to hold Peggy’s hand. Peggy was 14 and Ray was 15…the rest is history. They shared 54 years of marriage together when Ray passed.
Ray’s greatest achievements were his two daughters whom he loved unconditionally. Then his unconditional love spread to his three grandchildren who were the light of his life. Affectionately referred to as “Pop” or “Poppy”, Ray supported and loved his grandchildren dearly, there is simply nothing he wouldn’t do for them. He helped take care of each of them as babies, attended every sports game he could. “Pop’s Chauffeur Service” drove each of them to any place they needed a ride to at any time of day. Poppy’s love and support for Austin, Zach, & Mya was unwavering from the moment he laid eyes on them.
Ray was drafted into the Army in 1965 and proudly served with the US Army, serving in Vietnam from 1966 – 1967. Ray started his career working at B.F Goodrich before becoming a carpenter. Later, he was employed at Bullard Machine Tool Company until becoming a foreman and head of security at Baird, Inc. where he retired.
Ray was the beloved father of Renae Christine (Goodman) Mattei and Jennifer Margaret (Goodman) Merenda and her husband Mark and brother
/best friend of Kenneth Goodman. He was the beloved grandfather of Austin Mattei, Zachary Mattei and Mya Merenda and was also survived by several nieces and nephews.
On Thursday friends may greet the family from 4 to 7 PM at the Riverview Funeral Home, 390 River Rd., Shelton. On Friday, friends are invited to his funeral service at 10:00 AM at the funeral home. His burial with military honors will follow at Riverside Cemetery.
The family requests that memorial contributions may be made The Disabled American Veterans at P.O Box 14301 Cincinnati, OH, 45250
Friends may leave condolences at www.riverviewfh.com.
