New Family Page: PALMI GOODMAN (1895-1949)
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PALMI GOODMAN (1895-1949)
Re: PALMI GOODMAN (1895-1949)
Eulogy for Charlie GOODMAN by Yvonne STILL: Today we are gathered here to celebrate the life of our dear friend Charlie GOODMAN whom I have known for 77 years. I want to thank Jean for the privilege of presenting this Eulogy for Charlie. (Charlie died on Feb 10, 2015)
I have known Charlie since 1938 when his family moved from the farm to Selkirk MB into a big house just 3 doors from where I lived. Consequently I met Charlie and his sister Edna when they enrolled at the Daerwood School during the mid-term year. Charlie started school in my class, Grade 6 - Miss GARDNERr was our teacher - she was a little old lady who was very strict. Charlie was always big for his age. On his first day in the class room he entered smiling as usual and walked in his army boots shuffling making a big noise. At recess he stomped in and out of class - then Miss GARDNER told him that he would spend his lunch hour indoors learning how to walk properly - lift your feet she said......this was my first introduction to Charlie. From that day forward Charlie, his sister Edna and I became friends for a lifetime. On a Saturday nights as teenagers we all loved to go to country dances in Petersfield, Netley Creek and surrounding communities in either Charlie’s car or our friend Ernie Still’s car.
Charlie did not complete high school so he went to work at the Manitoba Rolling Mills in 1947. The mill was sold in 1955 and renamed Stelco Steel Mills. At this time Stelco began building a Steel mill in Edmonton and were in need of experienced Steel workers for the new mill so they invited Charlie to transfer to Edmonton to help start up the new mill in Edmonton if he was interested. Charlie accepted the offer the transfer to Edmonton. Upon his arrival in Edmonton he boarded with Clara BAKER who was a long time family friend who lovingly opened her home to him. Charlie was pleased to meet up with a friend he remembered when the family had lived in Dawson Creek, BC
Charlie moved into his own apartment and took care of his brother John after their Mom passed away. John attended high school and Charlie took his role as a parent of his young brother very seriously and encouraged him to stick with his studies. As a method of encouragement he would reward for him with the use of his brand new car “1957 Chevrolet “ Needless to say John was ecstatic and passed with flying colors. He joined the Air Force and became an officer.
Charlie loved to dance so he joined the Elks Club while working with Stelco in Edmonton. He participated in all their activities and played a big role in promoting their Membership drive for this club, many of this friends from his community and Stelco joined the Club. He sold over 400 memberships.
Charlie’s friends arranged a blind date with a lovely young lady by the name of Jean GATTENS which was love at first sight - - they were married 6 months later. One of their favourite songs to Jive to was “In the mood”. Throughout 55 years of marriage they were blessed in 4 children and 5 grandchildren.
In 1961 he joined AA while still a member of the Elks club for dances. Soon after joining AA one day Charlie answered the door at his residence to find a delivery man standing there holding a very large Texas Mickey, compliments of the Elks Club. Charlie resisted the temptation to have a wee taste so he chose to sell the Mickey and bought himself a hat !! This was when his wife knew he would be serious about maintaining his sobriety.
In 1976 Charlie moved to Red Deer to become the Manager of the Electrolux Company and trainer of their sales people. From here he moved the family to Abbotsford where they purchased a house and the children attended grade school. Charlie was still employed with the Electrolux company where he did very well in the top group of salesmen. Charlie lived the AA program and sponsored many folks to work the 12 step program.
In 1989 Charlie was offered a contract to work as an Addictions Counsellor with the Stoney Medicine Lodge Treatment Centre in Morley Alberta. His task at that time was to work as specialist in the Addictions portion of their Healing Program, specially one designed to serve the Chief and Council of Lutsel Ke Dene on Great Slave Lake. The community was known as Snowdrift at that time. The Chief and Council, two of the councillors’ wives and the Band administration staff completed their 8 week program returned to their community in NWT. In 1991 the group returned to Stoney Medicine Lodge for another 8 week follow up Aftercare program. Charlie completed his contract at this time but agreed to remain on the Stoney Medicine addiction counselors “on call” list.
The Stoney Medicine Lodge Aftercare Program began in 1991 and continued until 2014. The Team visited their community approx every 3 – 5 years. Charlie made this trip to Lutsel K’e on a number of occasions. Needless to say the folks up north loved him and looked forward to his visits and have expressed sadness to hearing of his passing.
Their journey to Wellness since 1989 was filmed by Anthony Perzel, Videographer/Producer, producer and cinematographer. The one hour documentary is titled is “Our Healing Journey” We are in the process of fund raising to get the Chief and Council to Hamilton, New Zealand this coming November to share their story at the next Healing Our Journey Worldwide indigenous gathering. Perhaps Jean will join the team on this trip and I know our Charlie will be there with us in Spirit.
Charlie returned to his home and family in Delta, BC.and began working with Construction Rehab as their evening addictions counsellor. We were fortunate his employers allowed him time off to travel north with the Medicine Lodge team while employed with this organization. Charlie worked until he reached the age of 70.
Upon his retirement, Charlie did not let grass grow under his feet. He and Jean were eager to enjoy their retirement by embarking on a series of travels. They bought a motor home and Charlie enjoyed numerous camping trips with his entire family, during which he would follow the same routine: Each morning, he would be the first to get up and make a pot of coffee followed by being the first to shout out to the campers in the next site over, "Good morning! Where you from?" Shortly after asking this question, he would be first to tell his family, "Would you believe, the guy in the next site over is from Manitoba?" At breakfast, he would be the first to volunteer to taste test the first pancake of the day -- "just a little taste" he would say. In the middle of the day, he would be the first to take a nap. Each night, he would be the first to pull up his chair to the fireside and the first to ask for an extra blanket and a cup of tea. He would be the first to tell a campfire story. And then, finally, he would be the first to head off to bed and the first to start snoring. At the end of each trip, he would be the first to say, "Gosh,that was a really good trip. I really enjoyed that. We should do that again soon!"
Charlie and Jean went on numerous trips to most of the places in the world that he wanted to visit. Charlie would simply tell Jean where he wanted to go and Jean, his travel agent, planned it all. These various trips include: a bus tour of the Maritimes, a trip to Boston to visit his son Dean and his family (during which he toured New England and Cape Cod), a trip to England to visit Jean’s family. Jean and Charlie continued on to London to start their 21 day bus tour to Great Britain. After the tour they sailed to France to visit the Canadian Warm Memorials in Dieppe. The next day they left for Caan to visit the Normandy tours and then on to Belgium to visit the grave of Charlie’s Cousin, John COSINS who was killed in the Second World War.
Other trips included a cruise to Alaska; the Caribbean, and the Hawaiian Islands. Last year, he and Jean had a long Trans-Atlantic cruise planned which would have included a tour of Iceland, his ancestral home. Unfortunately, due to his doctor's recommendation, he had to cancel his trip to Iceland but he and Jean quickly planned a month long stay in Hawaii, very often his children and grandchildren would join them. This would be his last major trip.
Two years later the Charlie moved the family to Delta where they lived until Jean and Charlie moved to Southwind Estates in Walnut Grove, BC Charlie referred to it as his Four Star Hotel. He was especially pleased to spend time there with his old friends from Selkirk Manitoba Lena and Morris HORRILL and made many friends at the complex.
Charlie sold the family home to his youngest child Dale and his wife Heidi.
In closing we need to acknowledge one of Charlie’s greatest achievements when he celebrated his last AA birthday of 53 years Sobriety one day at a time on January 2, 2015.
I have known Charlie since 1938 when his family moved from the farm to Selkirk MB into a big house just 3 doors from where I lived. Consequently I met Charlie and his sister Edna when they enrolled at the Daerwood School during the mid-term year. Charlie started school in my class, Grade 6 - Miss GARDNERr was our teacher - she was a little old lady who was very strict. Charlie was always big for his age. On his first day in the class room he entered smiling as usual and walked in his army boots shuffling making a big noise. At recess he stomped in and out of class - then Miss GARDNER told him that he would spend his lunch hour indoors learning how to walk properly - lift your feet she said......this was my first introduction to Charlie. From that day forward Charlie, his sister Edna and I became friends for a lifetime. On a Saturday nights as teenagers we all loved to go to country dances in Petersfield, Netley Creek and surrounding communities in either Charlie’s car or our friend Ernie Still’s car.
Charlie did not complete high school so he went to work at the Manitoba Rolling Mills in 1947. The mill was sold in 1955 and renamed Stelco Steel Mills. At this time Stelco began building a Steel mill in Edmonton and were in need of experienced Steel workers for the new mill so they invited Charlie to transfer to Edmonton to help start up the new mill in Edmonton if he was interested. Charlie accepted the offer the transfer to Edmonton. Upon his arrival in Edmonton he boarded with Clara BAKER who was a long time family friend who lovingly opened her home to him. Charlie was pleased to meet up with a friend he remembered when the family had lived in Dawson Creek, BC
Charlie moved into his own apartment and took care of his brother John after their Mom passed away. John attended high school and Charlie took his role as a parent of his young brother very seriously and encouraged him to stick with his studies. As a method of encouragement he would reward for him with the use of his brand new car “1957 Chevrolet “ Needless to say John was ecstatic and passed with flying colors. He joined the Air Force and became an officer.
Charlie loved to dance so he joined the Elks Club while working with Stelco in Edmonton. He participated in all their activities and played a big role in promoting their Membership drive for this club, many of this friends from his community and Stelco joined the Club. He sold over 400 memberships.
Charlie’s friends arranged a blind date with a lovely young lady by the name of Jean GATTENS which was love at first sight - - they were married 6 months later. One of their favourite songs to Jive to was “In the mood”. Throughout 55 years of marriage they were blessed in 4 children and 5 grandchildren.
In 1961 he joined AA while still a member of the Elks club for dances. Soon after joining AA one day Charlie answered the door at his residence to find a delivery man standing there holding a very large Texas Mickey, compliments of the Elks Club. Charlie resisted the temptation to have a wee taste so he chose to sell the Mickey and bought himself a hat !! This was when his wife knew he would be serious about maintaining his sobriety.
In 1976 Charlie moved to Red Deer to become the Manager of the Electrolux Company and trainer of their sales people. From here he moved the family to Abbotsford where they purchased a house and the children attended grade school. Charlie was still employed with the Electrolux company where he did very well in the top group of salesmen. Charlie lived the AA program and sponsored many folks to work the 12 step program.
In 1989 Charlie was offered a contract to work as an Addictions Counsellor with the Stoney Medicine Lodge Treatment Centre in Morley Alberta. His task at that time was to work as specialist in the Addictions portion of their Healing Program, specially one designed to serve the Chief and Council of Lutsel Ke Dene on Great Slave Lake. The community was known as Snowdrift at that time. The Chief and Council, two of the councillors’ wives and the Band administration staff completed their 8 week program returned to their community in NWT. In 1991 the group returned to Stoney Medicine Lodge for another 8 week follow up Aftercare program. Charlie completed his contract at this time but agreed to remain on the Stoney Medicine addiction counselors “on call” list.
The Stoney Medicine Lodge Aftercare Program began in 1991 and continued until 2014. The Team visited their community approx every 3 – 5 years. Charlie made this trip to Lutsel K’e on a number of occasions. Needless to say the folks up north loved him and looked forward to his visits and have expressed sadness to hearing of his passing.
Their journey to Wellness since 1989 was filmed by Anthony Perzel, Videographer/Producer, producer and cinematographer. The one hour documentary is titled is “Our Healing Journey” We are in the process of fund raising to get the Chief and Council to Hamilton, New Zealand this coming November to share their story at the next Healing Our Journey Worldwide indigenous gathering. Perhaps Jean will join the team on this trip and I know our Charlie will be there with us in Spirit.
Charlie returned to his home and family in Delta, BC.and began working with Construction Rehab as their evening addictions counsellor. We were fortunate his employers allowed him time off to travel north with the Medicine Lodge team while employed with this organization. Charlie worked until he reached the age of 70.
Upon his retirement, Charlie did not let grass grow under his feet. He and Jean were eager to enjoy their retirement by embarking on a series of travels. They bought a motor home and Charlie enjoyed numerous camping trips with his entire family, during which he would follow the same routine: Each morning, he would be the first to get up and make a pot of coffee followed by being the first to shout out to the campers in the next site over, "Good morning! Where you from?" Shortly after asking this question, he would be first to tell his family, "Would you believe, the guy in the next site over is from Manitoba?" At breakfast, he would be the first to volunteer to taste test the first pancake of the day -- "just a little taste" he would say. In the middle of the day, he would be the first to take a nap. Each night, he would be the first to pull up his chair to the fireside and the first to ask for an extra blanket and a cup of tea. He would be the first to tell a campfire story. And then, finally, he would be the first to head off to bed and the first to start snoring. At the end of each trip, he would be the first to say, "Gosh,that was a really good trip. I really enjoyed that. We should do that again soon!"
Charlie and Jean went on numerous trips to most of the places in the world that he wanted to visit. Charlie would simply tell Jean where he wanted to go and Jean, his travel agent, planned it all. These various trips include: a bus tour of the Maritimes, a trip to Boston to visit his son Dean and his family (during which he toured New England and Cape Cod), a trip to England to visit Jean’s family. Jean and Charlie continued on to London to start their 21 day bus tour to Great Britain. After the tour they sailed to France to visit the Canadian Warm Memorials in Dieppe. The next day they left for Caan to visit the Normandy tours and then on to Belgium to visit the grave of Charlie’s Cousin, John COSINS who was killed in the Second World War.
Other trips included a cruise to Alaska; the Caribbean, and the Hawaiian Islands. Last year, he and Jean had a long Trans-Atlantic cruise planned which would have included a tour of Iceland, his ancestral home. Unfortunately, due to his doctor's recommendation, he had to cancel his trip to Iceland but he and Jean quickly planned a month long stay in Hawaii, very often his children and grandchildren would join them. This would be his last major trip.
Two years later the Charlie moved the family to Delta where they lived until Jean and Charlie moved to Southwind Estates in Walnut Grove, BC Charlie referred to it as his Four Star Hotel. He was especially pleased to spend time there with his old friends from Selkirk Manitoba Lena and Morris HORRILL and made many friends at the complex.
Charlie sold the family home to his youngest child Dale and his wife Heidi.
In closing we need to acknowledge one of Charlie’s greatest achievements when he celebrated his last AA birthday of 53 years Sobriety one day at a time on January 2, 2015.