May 26, 1928 - November 21, 2021
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of a grumpy old Scotsman.
Dad was born May 26, 1928 in Lieth Village, Scotland to William and Elizabeth Goodall (née MacLachlan). He was educated in Scotland and left school early to
support his family. He worked as a grocer and then later as a locomotive fireman before his national service in the Royal Scots Infantry - approximate dates 1947-1949. Like his father, he joined the Freemasons while he was still in Scotland, enjoying the fellowship and mutual support. After leaving the service he returned to the railway until the summer of 1953, when he had saved enough money to emigrate and move to Canada.
He landed in Churchill Manitoba and boarded a train for British Columbia, where he lived and worked for the rest of his life. He worked at a pulp mill in Ocean Falls and again as a fireman with the Canadian National Railway until he found work as a logger, where he enjoyed hard work and life out of doors. During this time, he met his beloved Dot (Dorothy) and her young daughter Louise, whom he adopted after the couple married. He worked as a logger, sending money home to Dot until they had enough money to buy a home on Tannery Road. He later joined the longshoremen and worked with the ILWU for many years. He finally worked at the coal port in Delta until he retired in 1989 to look after his farm, his animals, and his grandson, Ryan.
He and Dot welcomed their daughter Tammy in July 1964, and then Heather in December 1967. In 1967 he moved his family into the house that he built for them on 148 street. He wasn't much for going away on vacation as he preferred to stay home and manage his menagerie of birds and animals. He won numerous awards for breeding excellence at the Vancouver PNE and other exhibitions. He lost his beloved Dot in the spring of 1985 and never remarried. He lived his life on his own terms and enjoyed visits from friends and family until his passing at White Rock Seniors Village, where he received excellent care.
He was a crusty old guy and he will be missed by daughters Louise (Carl), Tammy (Wayne), and Heather (Keray) and grandkids Kendra, Curt (Michelle), Ryan (Tamara), William (Chantelle), and last but not least Dorothy (David). He will also be missed by his great grandkids: Liam, Keira, and baby Gregson.
A celebration of life will be held in June 2022, date is unconfirmed at this time, contact family for details in the spring.