Obituary of Thomas F. Goodall

Tom Goodall, 61, passed away Sunday, February 7, 2010 after a nine month battle with esophageal cancer.  Tom was born and raised in Akron, Ohio and graduated from St. Paul’s Elementary School, Archbishop Hoban High School, where he was an All-City pitcher on the Knights baseball team, and the University of Akron, where he lettered on the Zips baseball team.  He married the woman of his dreams, Carol DeJacimo, in 1970 and raised treasured daughter Gina in Stow, Ohio, where he resided for over 36 years.  He worked as a salesman for GE Supply in Independence for 28 years, winning numerous national sales awards.   After retirement in 2003 Tom worked as a substitute teacher at St. Paul’s and several other local Catholic schools, and consulted at GE on a part-time basis.  He and Carol enjoyed several wonderful trips to Italy with close friends.   Tom was well known in the Akron sports community as a legendary 7th grade CYO basketball coach for Holy Family (also coached football) and then as an assistant at Archbishop Hoban High School for the boys basketball program for 17 years, where he helped the Knights claim a Final Four trip (1998), an AP Poll championship (1999) and a 2008 district crown.  He was recognized by CYO and inducted into their Hall of Honor in 2005, following suit of his lifelong best friend, Tim Griffith, who preceded him in death in 2008.  He and Tim also emceed several Hoban Alumni events together and sat on many committees together for the Hoban Alumni Association.   Tom’s quick wit and ease in relating to people helped him impact the lives of young people for several decades.  Revered by the kids he coached, he emanated coolness, style and respect.  He connected with all people and was a wealth of insight, knowledge and trivia.  He never met a stranger and loved to talk politics, music, sports or current events and was never afraid to “stir the pot” a bit.  To know the endearing Tom Goodall was to love him.    The pinnacle of his life, though, was certainly his family and especially his grandkids (Alex, Andrew and Lily), who he gloated about at every opportunity.  Tom cherished his trips to Troy, Ohio, to see Bob, Gina and the kids.  Tom’s spirit will remain with all of us as we hold him in our hearts until we meet him again.   Tom was preceded in death by his father, Patrick Goodall.  He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Carol; daughter Gina (Bob) Magoteaux and grandchildren Alex, Andrew and Lily; mother Patricia Goodall, brothers Tim (Joanne) of Pittsburgh, PA, Patrick (Jan)  of Acworth, GA; sisters Eileen (John) Ropar, Ann (Jim) Polack, and Rosemary (Bill) Hearn; mother-in-law Viola DeJacimo; brother-in-law Michael DeJacimo (Pat); sisters-in-law Rita (Tom) Kane and Janet Gill, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, great nieces and close friends.   The family would like to express their deep appreciation to the Hospice Care Center, Akron General (CVSU and MICU staffs) as well as Dr. Robert Netzley for their care of Tom.   Calling hours will be Wednesday 3 to 8 PM at Redmon Funeral Home, 3633 Darrow Road, Stow.  Mass of the Christian Burial will be at 11:00 AM on Thursday at Holy Family Catholic Church in Stow.  PLEASE MEET AND FORM PROCESSION AT THE CHURCH.  Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Tom’s memory to Archbishop Hoban High School Scholarship Fund, 1 Holy Cross Blvd., Akron 44306 or to CYO and Community Organizations, 812 Biruta St., Akron 44307. Tom's video tribute may be seen here.