Calling Hours: 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm, Tuesday, September 8, 2015
Mass: 10:45 am, Wednesday, September 9, 2015, St. Joseph’s Church, Bronxville, NY
Leonard Howard Goff, 91, of Mt. Vernon, NY died peacefully on Wednesday September 2, 2015 at Calvary Hospital. Originally from King, NC, he was born April 14, 1924, the eldest of four children of LaDoskie Ella Venable and Clifford Goff. He was the brother of Ann (Hodgen), Nancy (DeSanto) and Catherine (Reams). In 1944, he attended Colby College in Waterville, Maine for 5 months, under the 21st College Training Detachment of the Army Air Corps. He continued with the US Army Air Corps and became a fighter pilot, achieving the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. Out of a class of 500, he was one of 50 that graduated. He qualified on both P-51 Mustang and B-17 aircraft. After the war ended, while residing in Greensboro, NC, he married Glorine Grinnell in 1946 with whom he had two daughters, Carolee (Koonce) and Sandra (Weinel). Leonard went to work for Burlington Industries, a then-leading textile manufacturer in the country. After being transferred to the NYC office in the Empire State Building, he became the GTM (General Traffic Manager). All national and international materials that Burlington shipped, were directed by his office. At this time, the family lived in Valley Stream, NY. After several years, Leonard moved back to Greensboro, NC and purchased a 250 acre parcel of land in the town of Pleasant Garden, NC. There, acting as the GC, he built a home, a man-made lake and had a half-acre garden. After his first marriage ended, he was traveling around the country, with frequent stops in the NYC office. It was in NYC that Leonard met his second wife-to-be, Eleanor. In 1961, Leonard married Eleanor Rose Bagnasco of Manhattan, and had a beautiful reception at the Carlisle Hotel in NYC. They both lived in Pleasant Garden, NC for about 2 years before moving back to NY and purchasing a home in Mount Vernon, where he has lived for 54 years. Leonard and Eleanor had one son together, Clifford, in 1964. After Burlington Industries, Leonard started and ran a successful transportation firm serving the NYC area. Later in life, as a final brief career, Leonard became a licensed Real Estate Agent. Failing health and physical challenges ultimately caused him to retire. Leonard leaves behind a loving family and friends including his wife Eleanor (Lola), one surviving sister Catherine, husband John; daughters Carolee, husband Eugene; Sandra, husband John; son Clifford; 3 grandchildren Jessica, Jeremy and Christina, 3 great grandchildren and nieces and nephews. Leonard was a loyal, hardworking soul who fought the good fight up until the end. He will be missed by all who had the good fortune of knowing him. Calling hours at the Fred H. McGrath & Son Funeral Home, Bronxville between the hours of 2 to 4 and 7 to 9pm Tuesday September 8th at the Fred H McGrath & Sons Funeral Home, 20 Cedar Street, Bronxville, NY 10708. Mass of Christian Burial, St. Joseph’s Church, 20 Cedar St., Bronxville, NY, on Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 10:45 am. Interment to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested that donations be made in his memory to Calvary Hospital, Bronx, NY and/or NORD (National Organization for Rare Disorders) Danbury, CT .
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