Arthur Goodman

     Arthur (Art) Goodman, 94, passed away at his home in Lorain on June 7, 2020, after a brief illness.

     He was born in Cleveland on January 28,1926 but as soon as he left the hospital, he came home to Lorain, and Lorain was always his home.

     Art graduated from Lorain High School Class A in January 1944. He began his military service that same year with the 36th Chemical Depot Company, where he performed support for General George S. Patton and his men. Goodman was among the soldiers sent in to relieve troops fighting in the Battle of the Bulge by the time the battle was largely over. He attained the rank of tech sergeant. He also was asked to be a witness for some of the concentration camps. Following his European service, he spent some time in the Pacific Theater. At one point during the war, he was part of a live transfusion to give blood to a fellow soldier who needed it, sparking his lifelong passion for donating. He was recognized for giving nearly 45 gallons of blood over his lifetime.

    He returned to Lorain after his military service ended, initially working at his parents’ Goodman’s Home Furnishings store on Broadway and later as an agent for New York Life Insurance Company until around 1988. He was fully retired by 1991.

    Art married the love of his life, the late Barbara Goodman (nee Berkman), of Cleveland, in September 1949. Sons Mark and Ron came along later, and today the family has grown to include two grandchildren, one great grandchild and many nieces and nephews, who affectionately called him “old uncle Art.”

   He was heavily involved in the Jewish War Veterans of Lorain County Post 222 and kept meticulous records of the hundreds of Jewish men and women in Lorain County that served in the military since WW I. He served as secretary-treasurer for Council of Lorain County Veterans and as secretary for the Lorain Veterans Council, who named him Veteran of the Year in 2014. Art was always trying to get youth more involved with supporting and understanding the sacrifices made by veterans.

    He helped establish and was on the board and was a past president of the W.G Nord Mental health center. From 1995-1998 he was on the board of the Citizens League of Lorain County. He was also active in the Black River Historical Society, now known as the Lorain Historical Society.

 Art was deeply involved at Lorain’s Agudath B'nai Israel Synagogue, serving on the board of trustees from 1970-1998. From 1947 through 1982, he led the AZA, a popular youth group at the synagogue. He helped with the annual Holocaust remembrance program for kids at the Lorain Palace Theater. Up until his death he was actively involved with the Lorain Jewish Cemetery Association at Salem Cemetery.

 Art endeavored his whole life to live up to one of his favorite quotes: "Do what is right and good" (Deuteronomy Chapter 6, verse 18) and will be remembered fondly by those many people whose lives he touched.

 He is survived by sons Mark (Tami) and Ron; granddaughters Sarah and Anna and great-granddaughter Ariella.

 Graveside services were June 10, 2020, at Salem Cemetery.

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