Tribute

It is with great sadness that the family announce the passing of CHARLES ERIC GOODMAN, at the age of 87 years old, on Dec 5 2012 at the South Okanagan General Hospital.

Eric was born Jan 28 1925 at the Penticton Hospital and was the son of F. Les Goodman and Dais Goodman (Ada E Buckland), Osoyoos Pioneers.

Eric spent his whole life in Osoyoos. Eric, with his family and his parents had the properties around the Goodman Pond, his house just kitty corner to where Goodman Park is today. In the early 70’s Eric moved up the hill onto Anarchist Mountain where he resided for 38 years.

In Osoyoos, he went to school in the one room schoolhouse and then attended the high school in Oliver. He studied at UBC in the 1940’s and obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Horticulture. This was the start of his orchardist career working with his father running their orchards on the east side of the lake.

In the late 1960’s Eric and his brother Gran started Goodman Construction. They subdivided the “bird sanctuary” around Goodman Pond, now called “Harbour Keys”. Not many people remember the days of the sloughs with their bull rushes and smelly carp. Dad used to give us 5 cents a carp if we could get one with a pitch fork – made for good fertilizer for the orchards.

Eric had an extraordinary mind. He was inventive, creative and always found a solution. There was not much that could stop him. One of his most outstanding accomplishments was the designing, building and launching of Little Toot, his tugboat that putted around Osoyoos Lake from the late 1950’s to the early 70’s. Little Toot was the envy of all the big boats on the water.

He was involved in the Fire Department in both Osoyoos and Anarchist Mountain. He always wanted to lend his support where he could. With his green thumb he cherished his green house and was always grafting something or other. With the many animals that lived on the property, he would go to all ends to keep them safe from predators. He even had pins put in the goose’s leg after a dog bit it.

Eric, with his ham radio talked to the world, he would be up early, communicating with friends in New Zealand or the guys up the valley or on the coast.

He had 5 children with his 1st wife Frances (Wilkins). He later married Gerry (Woosley), who helped him build the home ‘on the hill’. After Gerry’s passing, Eric found love and comfort again with his now present wife Buryl (Slack) for the past 9 years.

He is survived by his wife Buryl, his daughter Kathy Smythe (Don ), son David, son George (Dawn), Judy Drinkwater, daughter in law, Brenda Goodman, daughter in law and his grandchildren; Tanya, Cora, Jennifer, Cale, Allison, Greg, Frances, Eryn, and Carly; also by his great grandchildren, Nathan, Bryan, Harrison, Sydney, Peyton and Deven; also nephews and niece Ron, Nanette and Paul.

He is predeceased by his son Russell Goodman (1993), his son Malcolm Goodman (2000), his brother John Granville Goodman and his nephew Philip Goodman.

As per Eric’s wishes there will not be a service, instead when the family can be together they will celebrate his life. Instead of flowers, if you would to like make a donation to the Anarchist Mountain Fire Department that would be wonderful.

Dad, you will be missed. VE7KH Over and Out