Brian Goodman Obituary

Brian Goodman, the friendly Englishman often seen volunteering at Eagle River Nature Center, passed away June 2nd in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was 81 when he lost his battle with prostate cancer, and was surrounded by children and grandchildren during his final days.

Brian was born November 23rd, 1931 in Liverpool, England to Katherine and Thomas Goodman. An only child, Brian formed a lifelong bond with his cousin John Goodman. They found ways to make growing up in a war zone normal. Brian attended Merchant Taylors' School in Crosby and Clare College at Oxford University, majoring in History with a "minor" in rugby. He was stationed in Egypt when he served his mandatory two years in the British army. An inveterate history buff, in 1954 he came to America to pursue his Master's Degree in History from Yale University. In 1960 he was married to Marilyn Brynes. They had two children Alistair and Nicholas. While he was employed by the British Foreign Service the family lived in England and New York. The majority of his professional life was spent with Barclays Bank. In 1991 he reinvented himself and became the State Park Manager for the Historic New York City Aqueduct. It perfectly combined his love of the outdoors with his desire to preserve history. The aqueduct runs 26 miles through some spectacular parts of the New York suburbs. He partnered with The Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct and was a constant presence on the trail as he worked passionately to return its many features to the once glory he felt it so richly it deserved. In 2003, Brian again made a dramatic change in his life when he moved to Anchorage, Alaska. His true love of the outdoors became his focal point as he spent hours hiking and exploring the Chugach Range each week. He also joined the Eagle River Nature Center as its President, devoting himself once again with great passion. During this time he made many new friends, joined OLE as a Board member and sat on the Chugach State Park Advisory Committee.

He is survived by his two children, Alistair and Nicholas; five grandchildren, Kendall, Hayden, Charlotte, Camden and Henry, and his cousin John Goodman.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Eagle River Nature Center on Monday, July 15 at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, Brian's family requests donations to the Eagle River Nature Center.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Anchorage Daily News from Jul. 9 to Jul. 10, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Brian Goodman

9 Entries

Nick Goodman

July 3, 2024

Hard to imagine ten years have passed - we miss Dad every day, and continue to tell stories and recall his words of wisdom. I am heartened that our three children have all embraced the outdoors in a way that would have made Dad proud and will continue to be thankful for all he taught us.

mike boyle

March 26, 2014

I met Brian while working in NYS parks. I had the fortunate opportunity to take over the Old Croton Aqueduct when Brian was "retiring" from state parks (only to cheat on us with Alaska state parks, lol). He was such a colorful gentleman with such interesting stories, including the one about meeting Robert Moses himself, as Brian kicked him out of his British consulate office for trying to strong arm him. As we spoke often before his move to Alaska, he was sooo very excited to be able to spend time with his children and, especially his grandchildren. As long as I work in parks I will forever be telling the stories your loved one passed on to me. RIP Brian! You deserve at least that...

November 7, 2013

i remember you well, brian. you were married to my mother's foster sister, marilyn. godspeed to you, brother.

david leonard
new york, ny

Jessica Lambert

July 16, 2013

I started making coffee about a year ago, and he was a regular. The more and more I came to learn coffee it was nice to see a familiar face and hear his charming accent. His presence in the cafe will surly be missed.

Shaun Harding

July 15, 2013

I didn't have the privilege of meeting you, but I did hear a great deal about you, all wonderful things too. My lady and I prayed for you in earnest over the last year or two, so even though I never got to meet my fellow Englishman, and a gentleman to boot, you were never far from our thoughts. God bless you Brian, and rest in peace. x x x

Joni Haas

July 14, 2013

I made Brian coffee for years at Kaladi Brothers Coffee. I quit working there about a year ago but kept popping in hoping to spot him as I knew about his diagnosis. He was my favorite customer in all my 12 plus years working there. More than just a customer, he was a friend. I am so sad to hear of his passing. He was so strapping and healthy until recently. You will be missed so much, friend. To Brian's family: As you probably know, he was loved by many people, one of which was me.

Brian on Denali

July 10, 2013

Diggs Cleveland

July 9, 2013

I knew Brian from our work together at the Eagle River Nature Center. He was a great joy to know, and I am proud to say that he was a friend. May he rest comfortably in the arms of God, and may his family know he was loved and will be missed by many here in Alaska.

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