Keith Goodson

KEITH JOSEPH GOODSON
YALE NEW HAVEN HOSPITAL RETIREE
August 12, 1955 – October 3, 2023

NAUGATUCK, CT – Keith Joseph “Goody” Goodson, 68, husband of Rita (Bellefleur) Goodson passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at Waterbury Hospital.

Keith was born in Waterbury on August 12, 1955, son of the late Joseph A. Goodson and Lydia P. (Giancarli) Goodson. Keith was a lifelong resident of Naugatuck and graduated from Naugatuck High School, Class of 1973, where he was on the NHS Baseball, Football, Basketball and Soccer Teams. Keith then served four years with the United States Air Force as a Medic, attended Waterbury State Technical College and then graduated from the last graduating class of St. Mary’s School of Nursing as a Registered Nurse. Keith retired from Yale New Haven Hospital in 2021 after almost 40 years in the Perioperative Services serving many roles as Nurse in the OR, Supervisor in the OR, Nurse in the Presurgical Evaluation Center where he was referred to as the “Mayor” of the department and go to person for his colleagues. Keith also advocated for the VA patients prior to their surgeries. Keith assisted in the very first heart transplant performed at YNHH.

During his tenure at Yale, Keith was awarded the Nightengale Award which is a prestigious nursing excellence award to have been nominated for by putting patients first and center. While at Yale, Keith also accompanied many doctors and nurses to Columbia for various operations of children such as cleft palate and burns. For over 29 years, Keith was an instrumental member of the Toy Closet Golf Committee, started by his dear friend Ann Nyberg and other colleagues raising funds for pediatrics to choose a toy upon their discharge.

A gifted sportsman in fishing and golfing was evident throughout the years holding numerous offices with the Hop Brook Golf Course Men’s League, President of the Lake Quassapaug Sportsman’s Club, the Southwestern CT Bassmaster’s Club as Tournament Director, currently Assistant Treasurer and “grillmaster” after the tournaments as well as Quassy.

Keith was an avid Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots fan. Keith was an exceptional cook especially for family and friends. Most recently, Keith enjoyed a good cigar with friends at the “Bridge” in Naugatuck.

Besides Rita, his loving wife of almost 30 years, Keith leaves behind his only sister, Pamela Goodson Ruccio of Naugatuck; his three nieces, Ashley Hagedorn (Carl) of Naugatuck, Erin Ruccio of Waterbury and Jodie Burns of Middlebury; his great nephew and Godson, Carl “CJ” Hagedorn, III who was the light of his life; his Godson Justin Carasone of Terryville; his beloved cat Walter; several cousins and close friends, especially Frank and Joanne Johnson along with their children Matt and Eric; Art and Carol Salvietti, Jim Mengacci, Ray Valois, Rob Carasone, John Cologi, Don Martinelli, Hank Witkoski, Tom Gallo, Chuck Uszakiewicz, Pete, Diane and Liam Glavin along with an endless list of friends including his Yale family.
Besides his parents, Joseph and Lydia Goodson, Keith was predeceased by his brother-in-law, Mark Ruccio; nephew, Josh Ruccio; his in-laws, Clarence and Connie Bellefleur; his good friend, Billy Handlewich and his former fur babies, Bogey and Ruby.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 10, 2023 at St. Vincent Ferrer Church, 1006 New Haven Road, Naugatuck where everyone is asked to go directly to church. Burial will be private. Friends and family may call from 4:00pm to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, October 9, 2023 at the Buckmiller Thurston Mengacci Funeral Home, 82 Fairview Avenue, Naugatuck, CT. In lieu of flowers, to honor Keith’s memory and his passion to help others, donations can be made in his name to YNHH Toy Closet Golf Outing, P.O. Box 412305, Boston, MA 02241-2305.