Aaron Goodale III of West Boylston, passed away peacefully at home
on July 9th surrounded by his family. He was born in Worcester, MA
on July 21, 1939, the son of Aaron Goodale, Jr. and Marjorie C.
(Johnson) Goodale. His family moved to West Boylston when he was
a teenager. Arriving in 1738, Aaron’s ancestors were among the
original settlers in what is now West Boylston. He was the 7th Aaron
in direct line from father to son. A 1957 graduate of Wachusett
Regional High School, he received an associate’s degree from
Worcester Junior College, and attended Clark University. He joined
the Air Force Reserves while still in high school and was a member of
the 101st AC&W Flight stationed on Skyline Dr. He saw active duty
when his unit was sent to Giebelstadt, Germany in 1961 during the
Berlin Crisis. While in high school, Aaron met his best friend and the
love of his life, Beverly K. (Holmes) Goodale, whom he married on
August 20, 1960. After college, Aaron worked at Norton Co. and later
participated in the management program at Friendly Ice Cream. In
1962, he had the opportunity to take over the management of
W. Boylston Insurance Agency, which he purchased in 1963. He
retired in 2009.
A selfless man, Aaron would lend a smile and a hand to anyone who
needed it. He was a staunch supporter of all things W. Boylston and
this drove him to serve on many boards and committees throughout
his lifetime. He was a 28-year member of the W. Boylston Fire
Department and served as a member of the Board of Fire Engineers
and as fire chief for 3 years. He was a long-time cemetery trustee of
Mount Vernon Cemetery and was a member of the W. Boylston 175th
Committee and the Bicentennial 200 Committee, serving as treasurer
for both. He was a member of the Boylston Lodge of Freemasons.
Aaron was a long-time member of the W. Boylston Historical Society,
serving on the board of directors. He oversaw the renovation of the
Bigelow Tavern Ell and the moving and reconstruction of the Jacob
Winn Barn to the historical society property. In February 2015, he
was the recipient of the Tip ‘o the Hat Lifetime Achievement Award
given by the W. Boylston World’s Smallest Parade committee, and he
helped in bringing Christmas lights to the Common each December.
He was a 60-year member of the First Congregational Church of W.
Boylston.
Aaron, a jack-of-all-trades, was never without his tape measure. He
had a passion for construction, a trade he learned from his maternal
grandfather, Charles Harry Johnson. When he was 14, they built a
house together, which set him on a path to countless construction &
real estate projects.
Aaron loved Cape Cod and had owned a home in Eastham since
1978, where he enjoyed family vacations and fishing from his boat,
the Beverly K. He owned and restored many antique cars, his last
project being a 1939 Chevy pickup. He also loved to travel and took
many memorable trips at home and abroad.
Above all, family was the most important thing in Aaron’s life, and he
loved his wife, children, and grandchildren dearly. Besides his wife,
Aaron, “Goody” as he was affectionately known, leaves his daughter,
Deborah L. and her husband Bryan D. Fancy of W. Boylston; his
daughter Sarah A. and her husband Patrick J. O’Connor of W.
Boylston; and his son Aaron IV and his wife Trina S. Goodale of
Upton. He also leaves 8 grandchildren, Benjamin A., Jared R., and
Luke B. Fancy; Rachel A. and Molly K. O’Connor; and Hannah M.,
Hayley M., and Caroline A. Goodale. He leaves his sister Anne D.
and her husband Arthur A. Mack of Lee; sister-in-law Pamela Shaw
of Durham, NH; brother-in-law Donald H. Holmes of Hubbardston;
sister-in-law Jacalyn and her husband Joseph L. Wetton of
Worcester; former daughter-in-law Suzanne E. Zarges of Worcester;
uncle Charles E. and his wife Joan A. Goodale of Sterling; and
nieces, nephews, cousins, and many cherished friends.
The family would like to thank Beacon Hospice, and especially
Valerie, for their compassionate care of Aaron.
Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, July 22nd from 4-8 p.m. at
the W. Boylston Historical Society, 65 Worcester St., W. Boylston.
Parking will be at the First Congregational Church across the street.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, July 23rd at 11 a.m. at
the First Congregational Church, 26 Central St., W. Boylston. Burial
in Mount Vernon Cemetery will be at a later date and will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the West Boylston
Historical Society, 65 Worcester St., West Boylston, MA 01583 or to
the First Congregational Church Organ Fund, 26 Central St., West
Boylston, MA 01583.
Fay Brothers Funeral Home is directing arrangements.