Obituary for Joseph Gerard Goodhouse Jr.
Joseph Gerard Goodhouse, Jr.
January 24, 1951 – April 28, 2019
Joseph Goodhouse, 68, died Sunday evening at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital in the presence of his family. Joe was born in Goshen, where his parents Joseph and Mary (Skinner) Goodhouse were dairy farmers, and as a youngster Joe excelled in 4-H showmanship competitions at the Goshen Fairgrounds. At Wamogo High School Joe played basketball and soccer, and acted in the senior play, which fostered a passion for community theater. He acted and participated in plays in Stonybrook, Connecticut and Hopewell, New Jersey. Joe graduated with a degree in biology from Fairfield University, where he was a captain of the soccer team; and in 1983 he obtained a Master’s Degree in biology from Quinnipiac College. After working at Yale University, Joe became the director of the Confocal Laboratory in the Department of Molecular Biology at Princeton University, retiring in 2013 after 23 years at Princeton. While at Princeton, Joe collaborated on many research projects undertaken by the Department of Molecular Biology.
In addition to his love of community theater Joe also was an avid bicyclist and for many years was part of an active group of riders. He and his friends took trips throughout southern New Jersey, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, the Gaspe Peninsula in Canada, and Italy. He loved cycling in Acadia National Park and enjoyed many family vacations there as well. He enjoyed fishing and camping, cross-country skiing, and traveling with family and friends. Joe liked baseball. He was a Giants fan, and he was a great fan of UConn women’s basketball.
In retirement, Joe was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. This illness ravaged much of his life but never disturbed his easy-going, friendly disposition or his joy of life. With the help of family and friends and the camaraderie of Prime Time House in Torrington he was able to continue to enjoy his life.
Joe is survived by all his siblings and their spouses: Paul Goodhouse, Francis and Maureen Goodhouse, Edward and Kathryn Goodhouse, Barbara Goodhouse and her husband Jeffrey Curran, Mary Goodhouse and her husband Joseph Dippel, and Vincent and Julia Goodhouse. Joe is also survived by three nieces, five nephews, four grandnieces, one grandnephew and several cousins. Joe is also survived by his “other brother” Brian McDonnell and Brian’s wife Betty Jo. Brian was a loyal, lifelong friend. He and Betty Jo were always there for Joe, truly embodying the spirit of Christianity.
Calling hours will be from 10-11 a.m. Saturday May 4th at Thurston Rowe Funeral Home, 283 Torrington Road, Litchfield, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. at Saint Thomas of Villanova Church, Route 63, Goshen.
In lieu of flowers please send memorial contributions to Prime Time House, 810 Main Street, Torrington, CT 06790.
January 24, 1951 – April 28, 2019
Joseph Goodhouse, 68, died Sunday evening at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital in the presence of his family. Joe was born in Goshen, where his parents Joseph and Mary (Skinner) Goodhouse were dairy farmers, and as a youngster Joe excelled in 4-H showmanship competitions at the Goshen Fairgrounds. At Wamogo High School Joe played basketball and soccer, and acted in the senior play, which fostered a passion for community theater. He acted and participated in plays in Stonybrook, Connecticut and Hopewell, New Jersey. Joe graduated with a degree in biology from Fairfield University, where he was a captain of the soccer team; and in 1983 he obtained a Master’s Degree in biology from Quinnipiac College. After working at Yale University, Joe became the director of the Confocal Laboratory in the Department of Molecular Biology at Princeton University, retiring in 2013 after 23 years at Princeton. While at Princeton, Joe collaborated on many research projects undertaken by the Department of Molecular Biology.
In addition to his love of community theater Joe also was an avid bicyclist and for many years was part of an active group of riders. He and his friends took trips throughout southern New Jersey, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, the Gaspe Peninsula in Canada, and Italy. He loved cycling in Acadia National Park and enjoyed many family vacations there as well. He enjoyed fishing and camping, cross-country skiing, and traveling with family and friends. Joe liked baseball. He was a Giants fan, and he was a great fan of UConn women’s basketball.
In retirement, Joe was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. This illness ravaged much of his life but never disturbed his easy-going, friendly disposition or his joy of life. With the help of family and friends and the camaraderie of Prime Time House in Torrington he was able to continue to enjoy his life.
Joe is survived by all his siblings and their spouses: Paul Goodhouse, Francis and Maureen Goodhouse, Edward and Kathryn Goodhouse, Barbara Goodhouse and her husband Jeffrey Curran, Mary Goodhouse and her husband Joseph Dippel, and Vincent and Julia Goodhouse. Joe is also survived by three nieces, five nephews, four grandnieces, one grandnephew and several cousins. Joe is also survived by his “other brother” Brian McDonnell and Brian’s wife Betty Jo. Brian was a loyal, lifelong friend. He and Betty Jo were always there for Joe, truly embodying the spirit of Christianity.
Calling hours will be from 10-11 a.m. Saturday May 4th at Thurston Rowe Funeral Home, 283 Torrington Road, Litchfield, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. at Saint Thomas of Villanova Church, Route 63, Goshen.
In lieu of flowers please send memorial contributions to Prime Time House, 810 Main Street, Torrington, CT 06790.