  We will miss Dave deeply aboard the John Brown, but more than anything I will miss my friend, Captain, and crew mate.   I greatly admired him and his sea accomplishments and loved to talk with him.  Our prayers are with you.  
Joseph Wenrich Chaplain S.S. John W. Brown

35 years of memories. Dave was a great shipmate and a great friend. He was a true seaman who loved what he did. He will be sorely missed. Our prayers are with you and your families in this time of loss.

~Smooth Sailing~into eternity my beloved.Your shining spirit,as a lighthouse will burn brightly within my soul till we meet in safe harbor...

It was a privilege to know and work with Captain Goff. He will be missed on the John Brown and we will keep him and his family in our prayers.
-from his shipmates, Jeremy and Mark Hannon

Elaine and Steve,
Eight years together as chief and captain.  Three ships (Caguas, Borinquen and Carolina) plus taking the 5 Lancers out of the Brooklyn Navy Yard.  We had a lot of laughs and shared a lot of hard work.  I will miss him.

Working with Dave on the J W Brown was an education and great experience including after finished with engine critique. Thank you Dave. Stoppers off.
All clear. Sail on.

Dave was such a nice, caring person and always someone who could be counted on to help with our living history cruises.  I just saw him at our training weekend in January and was so sad and shocked to hear of his passing.  Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with the family now and always.
Mindy Sacks, Owings Mills, MD

The Living History Cruises will not be the same without you. You will be missed.
Shipmate and Friend 
Bill Tellefsen NY

it was a privilege to know & work with Dave. i enjoyed several good conversions with Dave. sorry to hear of his passing.

brian j.

Elaine and Steve, I met Dave on the John W Brown and enjoyed sailing with him. He was so proud to take the ship to Providence a couple years ago, and I was proud to sail under him. We spent a lot of time talking and even enjoyed a couple beers together. He had such a tremendous knowledge of maritime history, ships and mariners. I am so sorry for your loss. We will all miss him. Unfortunately I cannot attend the memorial Friday; he and you are in my thoughts and prayers. I look forward to a memorial service for Dave on the Brown that we can all attend. 

Sincerely,
Paul Johnson, Ordinary Seaman

Dave: You will be truly missed whether it was jawing on the JW Brown or at MITAGS.  A void has occurred in the Brotherhood of the sea. And--in the world of bad jokes.  Peace.

Dave was a great officer and always so positive with those of us that worked under him on the SS John W Brown. He will truly be missed by us all.  God bless...

Dave will be missed not only as a shipmate but a friend.

It was an honour and privilege sailing with Dave on the BROWN.. he will be missed deeply.

Elaine and Steve
Dave was a great shipmate. I am the Pilot of the John W. Brown and also served as one of his officers when Dave commanded the ship to Rhode Island. His professionalism was outstanding and his sea stories will be greatly missed. I am sorry for your loss.

Elaine & Steve, Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time. Dave was a mentor to the young mates and the crew.  He always had a smile on his face.  We are sorry that we will not be able to attend on Friday, but look forward to having you aboard the John W Brown to celebrate Dave in the near future. We will miss him.
The crew of the John W Brown.

On behalf of the membership of Masters, Mates & Pilots we wish to express our sadness and condolences on the passing our our steadfast Union Brother. An expert master mariner, trade unionist and chronicler of labor and maritime history, Dave was active in promoting his chosen profession, merchant mariners of all stripes and his Union Brothers and Sisters. MM&P has suffered a great loss in the passing of Brother Goff. We unite in grief with his family.

Sincerely, 

Don Marcus
President, Masters, Mates & Pilots, ILA, AFL-CIO

OBITUARY

David Charles Goff

August 5, 1945 – March 27, 2013

Babione-Kraeer Funeral Home & Cremation Center

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