JACK GOODMAN

MIDDLEBURY — Jack Goodman died on Friday, Aug. 30. Jack was a dedicated member and eventual leader of Middlebury Town & Gown. He was committed to keeping the community of thoughtful Middlebury residents informed on a range of issues from politics to the environment. Participating in the lively discussions at the MT&G energized him and kept him vital into his late 80s.

Jack was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on June 2, 1935. He graduated high school in 1953 from Shaker Heights High School. He went on to Princeton University and graduated four years later. He then spent two years in the Navy before starting what would become a very successful educational publishing business. After a 40-year career he retired and began his next chapter in Middlebury, where he took dozens of classes at the college. He could regularly be seen on campus engaging with professors and enjoying his time being part of the community of lifelong learners. And, he was usually seen with his camera which he used to photograph the beautiful landscapes and wildlife in Addison County.

Beginning in the 1950s Jack began visiting Lake Temagami in Ontario, Canada, where he and his brother, along with a cousin, built a log cabin. Jack and his wife Barbara honeymooned in that cabin and eventually bought their own island and summer camp, which they converted to a family cottage. Many of Jack’s happiest moments were spent in Temagami, where he fished and photographed nearly every day for over 50 years. He spent six weeks this summer enjoying the Ontario wilderness with his family and friends.

In June of 1957, right after college graduation, Jack married Barbara Gross, whom he had originally met in middle school. After the time in the Navy spent in Newport, R.I., Jack and Barb moved to Westchester County, N.Y., where they raised their three children: Will, Jane and Jack Jr. He loved his dogs Mozart, Ike, Luka, Webbster, and finally Hemingway, who was at his side when he passed away. Jack retired in 2000 and looking for a change he and Barbara joined Jane in Middlebury, where he spent 24 wonderful years.

Jack is survived by his three children and seven grandchildren: Ben, Nate, Eli, Anna, Sam, Nora, and Max. ◊