Obituary of Jim Goodyear

To view the livestream recording of the service, please CLICK HERE

Our family is heartbroken to announce that our dad, Jim Goodyear, passed away on Sunday, May 3, 2026, after courageously battling illness for the past year. He is at peace and free from pain and has gone home to heaven to be reunited with mom at last.

Dad will be missed by his brother Jack (Marilyn deceased) and his sisters Marie (Doug) and Patsy (deceased)(Jim deceased). Dad was a kind uncle to Diane, Brian, Brad, Allison, Stephanie, Bobby and Kathleen and their families.

We, his children, Mike (Darlene), Marne, Paul (Maria), Peter (Heidi) and Greg (Kelly) miss him and his advice and his dad jokes and his many practical uses for baler twine already. Dad is sad to leave his grandchildren Brady (Olivia), Stephanie, Kyle, Zack, Kaylee, Carson, Emily, Mackenzie, and Chris

Dad was born to Frederick Goodyear and Bertha Stortz in 1936. Fred was anxious for dad to become a banker, so he could wear a suit to work and work reasonable hours. Instead, dad chose teaching and farming! After attending normal school in Stratford and summer courses on the mean streets of Toronto, dad began his teaching career in a one room school, SS #6 Egremont. At one point, he taught 44 students from various grades at the same time, including six students from the same family!

Near the beginning of his teaching career, dad met his partner in crime and in life, Anne MacKay while they were both teaching at St Louis School. After their wedding in 1964, they bought our family farm on the Hessenstrasse and worked for 47 years as a dynamic duo, raising kids and livestock, cultivating crops and friendships.

Dad and mom retired from the farm in 2012 and began growing a new crop of neighbours and friends in St Agatha. They harvested a bumper crop of generous people who stopped by to chat and lent a hand where needed to give dad the support to stay in his own home from Ann’s passing  in 2021 to April of this year.

We are so grateful for the kindness and support of all dad’s neighbours and friends as he navigated his recent health issues. Dad’s doctors and specialists were committed to keeping him mobile and independent as long as possible. The doctors and nurses and physiotherapists and personal support workers and social workers on the 4^th floor at St Mary’s Hospital were skilled and compassionate in their care for him during his last hospital stay. We are grateful for the spiritual care team at St Mary’s, especially chaplain Salih and the priests who visited often and brought kind words and humour with each visit.

We are so thankful for the compassionate care that dad received at Doon Village Retirement Home during his final weeks. Even though his stay there was brief, he made a connection with everyone who cared for him. We will never forget the compassion and support they have shown us since his passing.

Visitation will take place at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S, Waterloo, on Friday, May 8, 2026 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.  Parish prayers offered at 6:45 p.m.  The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Agatha RC Church, 1839 Notre Dame Dr, St. Agatha on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 10 a.m., with Rev. Mariusz Durbajlo officiating. Interment to follow at St. Agatha RC Cemetery.

A livestream and recording of the funeral service will be available on Jim’s tribute page at www.erbgood.com.

In lieu of flowers, condolences for the family or donations to St. Agatha RC Church and WRHN Foundation may be arranged through the funeral home at 519-745-8445 or at www.erbgood.com.

Well done, good and faithful servant. Rest in peace.

Dying is but going home. The best is yet to come.