Worcester : Dwight M. Goodale Jr., 92, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 29, 2021 at home surrounded by his loving family. He leaves his wife of 68 years, M. Jean (Larson) Goodale; a daughter, Linnea Goodale Olson of Worcester; 3 grandchildren, Jeffrey Olson and his wife Christina of Paxton, Kristin Carpenter and her husband Kyle of Rutland, and Jenna Olson of Worcester; 3 great grandchildren, Mae and Harper Olson and Lucey Carpenter; his former son-in-law James Olson of Paxton, and several cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Lincoln Goodale Engstrom, 2 sisters, June Ashton and Ruth Skagerlind, and his step- mother, Marion (Rice) Goodale.
Dwight was born in Worcester, son of the late Dwight and Eleanor (Wigren) Goodale. He graduated from West Boylston Public Schools, North Park Jr. College in Chicago, and earned his Bachelors Degree from Worcester State College in 1976. He proudly served in the US Army during the Korean War, and worked at Stone and Berg Lumber Company for several years upon his return. He was then a firefighter for the Worcester Fire Department for over 32 years, retiring as a Deputy Fire Chief.
He was an active member of Salem Covenant Church in Worcester, serving on several committees over the years including properties and outreach. He was the fire dept representative to the City of Worcester Emergency Management Operations and helped coordinate many improvements. He also taught Fire Science at Quinsigamond Community College. Dwight was a Civil War buff and visited many battlefields, served as a hospice volunteer, was very interested in and updated his Goodale family genealogy, and was an active member of the West Boylston Historical Society. He was also an active member of the Briarwood Retirement Community for close to 17 years, working in the woodshop and serving as a videographer. He enjoyed traveling all of his life, including to most of the states in the US, and loved vacationing in the White Mountains. Above all, he enjoyed spending time with his family. Dwight did not like to be idle and was often helping people in any way that he could, usually with a hammer or paintbrush in hand. He was known for his quirky sense of humor and he upheld his trademark stubbornness until the end.
Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 from 4-7 p.m. in Nordgren Memorial Chapel, 300 Lincoln St., Worcester. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, January 6, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. in Salem Covenant Church, 215 E. Mountain St., Worcester. Masks must be worn and all current covid protocols must be followed. Burial will be private at a later date. Nordgren Memorial Chapel, 300 Lincoln St., Worcester is assisting the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations in Dwight's memory may be made to either Salem Covenant Church or the Briarwood Residents' Assistance Fund, 65 Briarwood Circle, Worcester, MA, 01606. For directions or to leave an online condolence message, please click guestbook link.
Here is the YouTube link for Dwight's funeral:
https://youtu.be/eDnCZh0W7TAhttps://youtu.be/eDnCZh0W7TA