Obituary of James A. Goodman

North Creek: James A. “Pat” Goodman, passed away peacefully, Tuesday, May 17, 2016, at the age of 101, at Adirondack Tri-County Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in North Creek, with his son and daughter-in-law by his side. Born July 30, 1914 in Warrensburg he was the son of the late James P. and Frances (Shaw) Goodman. Pat, as he was nicknamed as a baby, by a family friend, grew up in Johnsburg, where he attended a one-room schoolhouse. His first working years began bartending for the Jennings family at the Adirondack Hotel in Long Lake; as he was a very social person, this was an easy and enjoyable job for him. He then went on to the Wells House in Pottersville, which was owned by Maurice and Leila O’Connell at the time. This is where he met his wife, Betty; the couple became quite close to the O’Connell family and remained in touch with them throughout the years. In the early 1950’s, Pat started working for the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 106, where he worked on such projects as the NYS Thruway, Adirondack Northway, Gore Mountain Ski Center, and the luge run for the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid. After spending much of their married life in Pottersville, Pat and Betty relocated to North Creek in 1995. There he attended St. James Roman Catholic Church, and quickly made friends with many parishioners. “Howdy” Waldron invited Pat to join him at the local meal site, sitting at the “men’s table”, where he also made many friends, as well as the bank and TOPS Market, where he was always welcomed with hugs. Pat enjoyed playing poker, breakfasts at Marsha’s and Lil’ Nony’s, watching Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, and various sports, including golf and the NY Yankees. During the warmer months, Pat reveled in a daily “Happy Hour” with drinks on the deck with his family and friends. In addition to his parents, Pat was predeceased by his wife of 59 years, Elizabeth “Betty” (Wallace) Goodman, who passed away in 2000, as well as his sisters and their husbands, Frances (Arthur) Jennings, Kathryn (Charles) Frentzos, and Amelia “Middy” (Jack) Huttig, and two brothers, Philip D. and John I Goodman. He is survived by his daughter, Katy Goodman of Queensbury; a son, Thomas Goodman and his wife, Helene, of North Creek; grandchildren, Patrick Goodman, Kristen (Michael) Nelson, and Gregory Sanders; four great-grandchildren, Casey (Lindsey) Goodman, Nathan Bigelow, and Michaela and McKenzie Nelson; one great-great-grandson, and the fifth generation of “Goodman men”, Tommy; a brother, Edward “Ned” Goodman of Johnsburg; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Friends may call on Pat’s family from 4 to 7 pm, Friday, May 20, 2016 at Alexander Funeral Home, Inc., 3809 Main St., Warrensburg. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 am, Saturday, at St. James Roman Catholic Church, 239 Main St., North Creek, with Father John O’Kane presiding. Burial will follow in St. Cecilia’s Cemetery in Warrensburg. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations in Pat's memory to Adirondack Tri-County Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, 112 Ski Bowl Road, North Creek, NY 12853. Pat’s family appreciates all the friends that visited him over the years, and especially after his illness, and would like to extend a huge thank you to the staff at Adirondack Tri-County Nursing Home for their attentive and compassionate care shown to he and his family during his time spent there. Please visit www.alexanderfh.net for online guestbook, online condolences, and directions.