Realtor, Community Leader John Goodman II Recalled as Being ‘Larger Than Life and a

JOHN GOODMAN II

Friends and family are mourning the loss of John H. Goodman II, owner of Harvey Goodman Realtor, who died Jan. 22 after a short, unexpected illness.

Goodman is survived by his wife of 44 years, Marylou; son Jay and wife Rachel; daughter Tracy and husband Keith Miller; and daughter Emily and husband J.R. Shortall; as well as five grandchildren.

John Sambuco, Goodman’s longtime business partner, reflected on their friendship and Goodman’s impact on many lives.

“One of the hardest things to do when you lose someone is to think about the joy they brought you during their life. The Upper Ohio Valley lost one of its best with the passing of John H. Goodman II,” Sambuco said. “The lights in St. Clairsville are a little dimmer tonight without the brightness of John’s smile. John was truly a man larger than life and a friend to all.”

Sambuco said Goodman exemplified qualities of decency, reliability, loyalty, humility, dignity, hospitality and trustworthiness.

“He was not only a friend. He was also a fighter, a believer, a teacher and a guide. He was a perfectionist, an umpire, a comforter and a mentor. He touched so many lives due to his genuine and sincere interest in others,” Sambuco said, recalling Goodman’s ability to inspire laughter in those who knew him.

Goodman grew up in St. Clairsville and graduated from St. Clairsville High School. After graduating from the University of Cincinnati in 1966, he returned home and joined his father, J. Harvey Goodman, in his business. He was owner/broker of Harvey Goodman Realtor and CEO of Goodman Group Inc. He led the company in building more than 300 homes, apartments, offices, retail buildings, commercial developments and residential subdivisions in St. Clairsville.

“Helping build the community was what he did for a living, but giving back and making the area a better place to live and work was who he was,” Sambuco said.

Civic involvement was also a significant part of Goodman’s life. He served on boards for the St. Clairsville-Richland City School District, Belmont National Bank, East Ohio Regional Hospital/Ohio Valley Medical Center, and the Belmont County Community Improvement Corp.

He was president of Belmont County Board of Realtors multiple times and served on committees aimed at improving real estate in the Ohio Valley. He was a member and president of the St. Clairsville Rotary Club and participated in numerous fundraising projects.

He was active in the Ohio Valley American Heart Association among other charities, including the Stadium Project for Red Devil Stadium, St. Clairsville Food Pantry and Tri-County Women’s Help Center.

“Like his father, J. Harvey Goodman, he leaves behind a never-ending legacy. Everyone has their own memories of John entrenched deep in their hearts and minds which they will never forget,” Sambuco said. “His death was sudden, but his life was not faint.”

Many people have shared their tender and heart-warming condolences with the family, and other realtors who worked with him recalled his influence.

“I have great admiration and respect for John. As far back as high school, I considered John as one of the best men I have ever known. John’s dad, Harvey, was responsible for my buying my family’s first home, which we are still in. I am thankful he welcomed me into the company,” real estate agent Laney Ross said.

“What I remember most was how even after he retired, he would stop to see you and was still interested in you and how your day was going. You just knew he cared and took the time to ask about your family,” real estate agent Karen Derosa said.

“John was rare, one of the great ones. He had credibility, respect, and admiration but above all, people loved the man. Seventy-seven years is not long enough for a man like him,” real estate agent Kathy Osovich said.

“Like everyone who has ever known him, I came to learn he was a man of great success and of great influence. But when you were with him, you only saw a man of humility, grace and kindness,” real estate agent Scott Connors said.

“I have been blessed and honored to work for John since 1983,” said Beth Francis, Goodman’s assistant of 39 years. “John was the kind of boss that greeted us when he came into the office and he was always interested in how we were and he was ‘present’ in our conversations. He had an open-door policy and was always happy to help in every situation.”

“In all the 50-plus years I worked with John, he was the most kind and considerate person I ever knew,” former sales manager Patricia Bruhn said. “John was always there for everyone. It was a distinct pleasure working with him.”

“Bringing his character to the forefront, we all can strive to live and treat others as he did in honor of him,” Becky McNeely, real estate agent, said.

Sambuco said he has worked in the Goodman family business for 25 years and enjoyed every minute spent with Goodman, discussing business, family and listening to the life experience and advice he shared.

“My favorite John Goodman memories are conversations we had approximately 25 years apart. I remember asking John shortly after he brought me into his company why he was doing something overly generous for me,” Sambuco said.

Goodman’s response: “Because I want to do everything I can to make certain you are successful.”

“I had never had someone say that to me before,” Sambuco said. “And a few weeks before he died, Mr. Goodman stopped by to get an update on how everything was going. One of the last things he asked me was ‘Is there anything I can do to help you?’ This was John Goodman.”