Obituary of Thomas Dorman Goodrich
Thomas Dorman “Tom” Goodrich, age 58, of Joliet, and formerly of Kankakee, passed away unexpectedly, Thursday, December 23, 2021 at Amita Health St. Joseph Medical Center Joliet, with his loving wife by his side.
Born November 2, 1963 in Kankakee, he was the son of Duane and Jean (Poyer) Goodrich, and was a graduate of Westview High School with the Class of 1981.
An accomplished salesman with a knack for closing the deal, Tom enjoyed a successful career in sales, most recently as an Account Manager for Four Seasons Heating and Cooling. Earlier in his working life, he was employed by the Kankakee Daily Journal, where he made many lifelong friends.
Tom was full of life, enjoyed living life to its fullest, and loved to laugh. Despite his high energy, he was a very patient, loving and caring person, whose larger than life personality masked his keen sensitivity to the needs of others. He loved his wife’s family like it was his own, and was a loving and devoted uncle to his nephews, as well as Julie’s nieces and nephews. Golfing was a favorite pastime, and he was known to enjoy an occasional Old Fashioned or glass of Scotch.
Tom is survived by his beloved wife and soul mate, Julie Goodrich. He made her laugh and they made each other’s lives better. His is also the devoted uncle of his three loving nephews of whom he could not be more proud, Andrew, Zach and Nich Goodrich. Also surviving are many special aunts, uncles, cousins, loved ones and dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his favorite brother, Daniel “Danny” Goodrich; two sisters, Diane and Myrna, in infancy; and his father-in-law, William F. Stratton.
Tom was a numbers guy, noting the significance of certain dates and numbers. His favorite number of 655, his house number growing up, and so the service to celebrate Tom’s life will begin promptly at 6:55 p.m. on Wednesday, December 29, 2021 at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Road, Joliet, where family and friends are invited to visit from 2:00 p.m. until the time of services.
His unselfish personality remained a characteristic of how he lived even in death by helping others as a tissue donor. In lieu of flowers, his family would be honored for memorials in his name to be made to the Gift of Hope Organ and Tissue Donor Network (www.giftofhope.org)
For more information, please call (815) 741-5500 or visit his Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com where you may share a memory or leave an online condolence.
