SHERBORN: Geoffrey Paul Goldberg, age 76, a retired financial consultant and Navy veteran, died at his Sherborn home on Wednesday, August 19, 2015. He was the devoted husband of Karen Ann Rohdin for 17 years.
Born in Brighton, he was a son of the late Dr. Manuel and Beatrice (Saklad) Goldberg. Geoff was raised and educated in Newton from the age of 9, graduating with the Newton High School Class of 1957. He continued his education through the Navy’s ROTC program at Northeastern University, earning a degree in Marketing with a minor in Economics. Geoff was married in 1961 to the former Hannah Carol Miller, a year prior to graduation. He was commissioned an ensign and served much of his active duty at the Key West Naval Air Station, where he and Hannah started their family. He received numerous Letters of Appreciation from Commanding Officers, a Personal letter of commendation from Rear Admiral McElroy, and a letter of commendation for commendable action during the Cuban Missile Crisis signed by Rear Admiral McElroy. He ran the Bachelor Officers Quarters, and later served as the Mess Liaison Officer for the seven military clubs in the area. In August 1965 he was honorably discharged after attaining the rank of Lieutenant JG.
The Goldberg’s settled in Natick and Geoff started his career in the private sector with the Mass Mutual and John Hancock companies prior to establishing a small business financial advising company, G & H Associates in Natick. Eventually becoming G & G Associates, Geoff managed clients for over 40 years including HE Lupien & Sons, Vanaria’s American Service, Hartney Greymont, Greymont Construction, Algy Alexander, Ed Brown, and PureAqua Pools, among others. He had sat on the boards of several area corporations, acted as treasurer with ThermoTechnologies, Inc., comptroller for the now defunct Frank D’Orlando Company in Needham. He had also been an Amway Direct Distributer.
At age 21, Geoff joined the Masonic United Lodge and was a Past Junior Warden at Consolidated Lodge AF&AM in Boston.
In 1970, Geoff was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, eventually becoming a High Priest in the church. Among other callings he had served faithfully as a Ward Financial Clerk, Stake Financial Clerk under L. Tom Perry, on the High Council under both Gordon Williams and W. Mitt Romney, worked in the Genealogy Library, taught Primary and Gospel Essentials, was a Stake Missionary, an Assistant High Priest group leader, a Melchizedek Priesthood quorum instructor, and in recent years a volunteer at the LDS Temple in Boston.
From 1980 to1985 Geoff served as a 1st Lieutenant and eventually Captain in the Thunderbolt Squadron, Massachusetts Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (an auxiliary of the USAF) as Squadron Chaplain and Finance Officer.
Geoff married Karen Rohdin Carroll in 1998 and they shared a life together in Sherborn and Popponesset Beach, Cape Cod. He joined her as a member of the Sherborn Lion’s club where he ultimately served as a board member. He also joined her 50 year commitment to Green Mountain College by together establishing the Robert T. Marsh Scholarship. The college recognized his continued support by making him an honorary member of the alumni association.
Finally, in 2013 they travelled with their two cats to set up residence in Naples, FL, to be closer to her son Brian Carroll and his family.
In his retirement years he and Karen fulfilled his lifelong dream of traveling. Together they cruised the Caribbean, Alaska, travelled the United States taking multiple road trips going coast to coast including the obligatory stop at Niagara Falls. They also enjoyed a trip to Sweden visiting Karen’s paternal relatives.
He is survived by his wife, Karen; three sons and a daughter, Michael Goldberg and wife Jocelyn of San Jose, CA, Barry Goldberg and wife Jun of Melrose, Toby Goldberg of Palo Alto, CA, and Jonathan Goldberg and wife Love of Auburn; his stepfamily, Brian Carroll and wife Stacie of Naples, FL, Erin Carroll Manning and husband Paul of Natick, and Christine Carroll Van Hoose and husband Brian of Harwich, Andrew Dearborn and wife Rae of Millbury, Butch and Steve Donovan of Framingham; a sister, Roberta Sherman and husband Kenneth of Peacedale, RI; his former wife, Hannah, of Watertown; 16 grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Karen’s goddaughter, Barbara Leger, predeceased him.
His funeral will be at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 150 Brown Street, WESTON (at Rte. 30), on Tuesday, August 25th at 11:00AM. Relatives and friends may visit with the family beginning at 10:00AM. Burial will be in Vine Hills Cemetery, 102 Samoset Street (Rte. 44), at exit 6 off Rte. 3, Plymouth, on Tuesday at 1:30PM.
Donations may be made in Geoff’s memory to the Robert T. Marsh Scholarship Fund, c/o Green Mountain College, One Brennan Circle, Poultney, VT, 05764.