Eugene Goalstone

Born in Denver, CO on September 1, 1921

Departed on December 17, 2017 and resided in Denver, CO

EUGENE DAVID GOALSTONE, son of Michael and Julia Goalstone, husband of his first and deceased wife, Glendeen Goldberg Goalstone and current wife Eleanor Evans Goalstone and brother to Trudy Roberts and Cara Smoley. Eugene is survived by his children Renee` Marple, Michele Ward and Marc Goalstone; his step-children Robert, David, Michael Grunwald and Renee Raabe; grandfather to Neil, Kimberley, Greg, Aimee, Sarah and Hannah; uncle to Reina; and Great Grandfather to thirteen great-grandchildren.

Dad was born in Denver, Colorado at St. Joseph Hospital on September 1, 1921. Dad first lived at 795 S. Williams St., went to Washington Park Elementary School, Morey Junior High School and graduated in 1939 from East High School.

In 1939, dad attended the University of Colorado (Boulder). In 1940, Dad double dated with a friend of his who happened to be dating Glendeen Goldberg. Many times, Dad drove to Denver from Boulder to secretly meet Glendeen. Eugene and Glendeen eloped in 1942 and were married in Castle Rock, Colorado.

World War II was just beginning in Europe and in his junior year of college, Dad moved to Wichita Kansas to assist in manufacturing planes for the US Army Air Corp.

Dad wanted to fly and, without the permission of his parents, he entered Officers' Candidate School and learned to fly. Dad was commissioned as a second Lieutenant in the Army Air Corp in 1943. He did flight training in Missouri, Kansas and Texas. Dad was transported to Lecce` Italy where he flew 50 missions as co-pilot in a B-24 Bomber for the 98th Bomb Group, 15th Air Force Division. Many of the missions were over the Ploiești oil fields in Romania.

Dad returned to San Francisco and was re-assigned to Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado as a weight and balance officer. He was later honorably discharged from the active military in July of 1945.

Dad worked several jobs. His first tavern was Glasses' Inn on West Colfax and 7th Street (which is now the Auraria Campus District) from 1943 - 1945. He then moved his business to Aurora, Colorado. The Yucca Restaurant was located at the intersection of Colfax Avenue and Moline Street. Eugene owned the restaurant until 1952. During this time, Michele (Micki) was born in 1949 and Marc in 1952.

In 1952 Dad was hired by Goldberg Bros, which was located at 35th and Larimer Streets. Dad rose to the rank of Vice-President of Purchasing and Laborers. Soon thereafter, the Goalstone family moved to 281 Niagara Street: a house in which they lived in until 1976. Along the way, Dad taught for the Civil Air Patrol and retired as a Major in the US Airforce. Goldberg Bros was sold in 1976 and Dad and Glendeen moved to Venice, Florida where they enjoyed the surf and golf. Although Mom was the better golfer, Dad always played with love in his heart. In 1978, Dad and Glendeen moved to S. Vine St, and lived there until Glendeen's death in 1988.

Eugene and Ellie were married by Rabbi Stone in 1989 and lived at Ponds Circle Drive until they moved to 2800 S. University Blvd. Ellie's adult children, Robert, David, Michael and "little" Renee` have been like second children to Dad. Dad and Ellie went on many trips together across the seas and the U.S. continent and visited Ellie's adult children in their hometowns. All of Eugene and Ellie's grandchildren have great fondness for "Papa".

In Eugene's last few years, Ellie was there when he had celiac sprue, his broken shoulder and many countless falls. Ellie was a trooper in her undying courage and fortitude to keep Eugene strong through his ailments. Thank you, Ellie.

We gather to pay our loving wishes to "Papa", to remember his loving thoughts, his undying humor and his pipe. We are better for his being here and we will be better for our loving thoughts for him. Let us revel in his shadow and thank G-d that we knew Eugene David Goalstone... "Papa".

Dad and Papa, we thank you for your service to your country and your gracious love for family.

December 19, 2017

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