At the age of 96, our family’s patriarch and WWII D-Day hero, Clifford Aden Goodall, Sr., reunited with his beloved wife of 65 years, Barbara (nee Killoran), who predeceased him in 2015. Clifford was also predeceased by three of his children, Deborah Ann (1954), Susan Marie (1956), and Judith Anne (1958), as well as five of his siblings and their spouses: Eileen Byron (Robert); Jean Platt (Marc); Joan Delaney (William); Helen Tenuta (Robert); and James (Carole).
Clifford is survived by a son, Clifford Aden Goodall, Jr. (Sharon Gray) of Florida; a daughter, Patricia Goodall Strawderman (Dennis) of Virginia; and two grandchildren, Dennis Patrick Strawderman (Lila Hussain) of California and Mary Margaret “Megan” Strawderman of Virginia. He is also survived by his youngest sister, Kathleen Sorrentino (Phil). He leaves behind a huge extended family of cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, including Canadian relatives in Hamilton, and a collection of incredible friends over the years.
Clifford was born in 1925 in Chicago, Illinois to Clifford Aden Goodall (then Sr.) and Helen (née Garvey). He was their first child but would not be their last: a total of 7 siblings and 2 parents shared a modest bungalow in Elmwood Park – with one bathroom, a fact he often mentioned! At the time he joined the United States Navy on April 22, 1943, there were only four sisters and a brother living at home; Kathleen, the baby, would arrive a few years later (and in a charming, related story, she was the reason that Clifford met Barbara).
Clifford was trained as a signalman (using flags / lights / Morse code to communicate ship to ship or ship to land), quickly attaining 2nd Class. Clifford was deployed to England to prepare for the invasion of Normandy, France on June 6, 1944; he came in on the third wave. At the last minute, Clifford was switched from an earlier boat with his signalman buddy, Doug, who was killed in the second wave. It is something that he never got over. Like many WWII and D-Day veterans, he didn’t talk a lot about his experiences until he reunited with some Navy buddies. In 1994, at the invitation of the French government, Clifford returned to Normandy for the 50th Anniversary of D-Day. He was then contacted by Veterans Return to Normandy, a French organization that assists U.S. WWII and D-Day veterans to return to Normandy, often for the first time since the war. After his first sponsored trip with this group, Clifford looked forward to returning every year for a week of parades, luncheons, and autographs! He became very close with his French friends in Normandy, who showed him and other veterans France’s gratitude for the sacrifices of the U.S. soldiers and sailors.
Clifford and Barbara married on April 22, 1950 and built a life with two children in the suburbs of Chicago. Clifford began his career as a salesman with U.S. Steel Supply before taking a job with Rolled Alloys and moving the family to the East Coast, landing in Somerville, New Jersey. Though he had caddied as a young teen, his lifelong love of golf was sparked during this time, and he became a skilled golfer. Clifford made a hole in one at Belvedere, his home golf course in Hampstead – at the age of 93!
Clifford had lots of interesting, funny, and amazing stories about his life growing up in Chicago, serving in the Navy, working for two major steel companies, raising a family in the Midwest and on the East Coast before finally retiring to a golf course in North Carolina. If you knew Clifford, you have probably heard a story or two. At least.
Clifford grew up in a family of devout Catholics who supported their parish church and community, literally helping to build the local church and school. As a member of All Saints Catholic Church in Hampstead for 34 years, Cliff served as a long-time usher for Saturday evening Mass and was active with the Knights of Columbus.
A funeral Mass for Clifford will be held November 23, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at All Saints Catholic Church, 18737 US-17, Hampstead, North Carolina. The family is hosting a small gathering afterward for lunch at one of his favorite restaurants, the Sawmill Restaurant (please text 804/349-3784 if you plan to join).
For those who wish to make a memorial contribution, the family invites you to consider two organizations that he loved, as well as Bon Secours Community Hospice House whose staff took loving care of Clifford as he transitioned peacefully from this earth.
- NATIONAL D-DAY MEMORIAL
3 Overlord Circle
Bedford, Virginia 24523
540/586-3329
Website: https://www.dday.org/
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/NationalDDAYMemorial/
Donate: https://www.dday.org/make-a-donation-online/
- VETERANS BACK TO NORMANDY
(Retour des vétérans en Normandie)
30 ter village Bourgogne
50770 Pirou
France
Donate: https://www.paypal.me/assocvbtn
Valerie Gautier Cardin
- BON SECOURS COMMUNITY HOSPICE HOUSE
1133 Old Bon Air Rd
Richmond, VA 23235
804/627-5360
Website: https://communityhospicehouse.com/
Donate: https://www.bsvaf.org/Hospice-House-Gift
Clifford had a farewell saying for everyone. No matter who it was, as he was saying goodbye, his final words were always, “KEEP SMILING!”
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