Obituary of Thomas Goodrich

Thomas "Tom" Goodrich, 77, of Mt. Olive Township, passed away, peacefully on Sunday August 16, 2020 at his home with his family by his side during his late struggles with cancer. Born on October 30, 1942 in Bronx, NY to the late John and Mary (Sceranko) Goodrich, Tom was the youngest of 14 children. He resided in Berkshire Valley, New Jersey, for twenty-three years with his wife Jane, and raised his three children. In 1995 he semi- retired to Lakewood Ranch, Florida where he enjoyed golfing, boating and working part time. In 2005 upon the arrival of his first grandchild, relocated to Mount Olive, New Jersey to be closer to his family. Tom proudly served in the United States Army from 1962-1964. He met his wife Jane in 1964 and married in 1966. He worked at Picatinny Arsenal which over the years became so much more than a workplace for him; it became his second family where he formed life-long friendships and enjoyed going to work every day before finally retiring after thirty three years and ending his career as an Engineering Technician. True to Tom's strong work ethic, full time retirement was not a fit for him. His love of helping people lured him to a twenty-three-year part-time career as a Master Plumber for Home Depot beginning in Sarasota, Florida and then continuing in Mansfield after his move back to New Jersey. Tom enjoyed traveling and visiting with family and friends. He was always an avid New York Yankees and Giants fan and always reminisced about growing up in the Bronx and being a "true" New Yorker at heart. He was a great storyteller and always kept a conversation going with his fun-loving personality. He was proud to carry the title of Mr. Fix-it, as he truly fixed anything, loved the challenge, but most importantly loved lending his helping hand to others. Tom also enjoyed going to the gym, playing golf, and going fishing. However, above all he loved spending quality time with his children and playing with his grandchildren. A devoted husband of 54 years to Jane (McCabe), a beloved father of Kelly Riviello and husband, Mark, of Flanders, NJ, Mary Ann Del Vento and husband, Matt of Mendham, NJ and Thomas Goodrich of Bridgewater, NJ. He was also the adoring "Pop" to Collin and Zachary Riviello, Matthew and Emma Del Vento and Maya and Caden Goodrich. He is survived by siblings, Barbara Gould of Lancaster, PA, Rose Will of Andover, NJ, Helen Pasquino of Allendale, NJ and Paul Goodrich of East Stroudsburg, PA. Tom given the size of this family, was an uncle to over 80 nieces and nephews. Tom's Life Celebration will include a memorial Mass on Saturday, August 22, 2020 at 1:00 PM at St. Mary's Church, 425 West Blackwell Street, Dover, NJ. The remainder of services were private. For memorial donations, please consider Foundation for Morristown Medical Center. Arrangements entrusted to Leber-Lakeside Funeral Home, 150 Landing Road, Landing, NJ.