WESTFIELD – Clement Theodore Goodreau, 91, beloved Husband of the late Helen L. Goodreau (Thompson) was safely called home on February 2, 2020. He was of the son of the late George and Florence (Langevin) Goodreau of Ludlow, MA. Born and raised in Ludlow, MA. He enlisted in the Navy in 1947 and served in active duty for 20 years.
After Basic Training at the Naval Station in Great Lakes, Illinois, Clem entered the Navy Medical School, NNMC in Bethesda, Maryland where he received training to become a Medical Lab Technician. Over the next twenty years, Clem served the Navy on many ships and at many stations. He served on the USS Shenandoah, the USS Grand Canyon, the USS Blue and the USS Mackenzie.
1958 saw him stationed in San Francisco, California with the 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division in their Medical Lab and with the 1st Marine Division, FMF, in Camp Pendleton, California. Clem received his final official rank of Chief Hospital Corpsman (HMC) in 1964.
During his enlisted period, Clem was awarded the Navy Good Conduct Medal 5 times, the National Defense Service Medal 2 times, the Navy E Ribbon, Honorable Discharge and Honorable Reserve Discharge Buttons.
In 1956 Clem married the love of his life Helen at the Chapel by the Sea in Newport, RI. The couple would welcome five children (and their spouses) Peter James and his wife Lori of Holland, MA., Mark Joseph and his wife Tina of Westfield, MA., Mary Lisa and her husband David of Westfield, MA., Beth Anne of Chicopee, MA. and Tricia Jean of Westfield, MA. Being in the service meant living in multiple locations. Clem and his family would eventually make their home in Westfield, MA. Clem loved and took care of his wife for 63 years until her death in January of 2019.
After retirement, Clem went to work in the Lab at Noble Hospital in Westfield, MA. He retired from civilian life after 20 years of service. Clem enjoyed retired life with Helen by his side. He was a faithful man. He loved a good book, was a great puzzler, he was shy and reserved. He loved to sit in the sun and ponder. He will forever be loved and missed by his children and their spouses, his many nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He will forever be loved and missed by his friend Judy Morin who lovingly cared for him during the last months of his life at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home.
Family and Friends are invited to a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11:30AM, Tuesday, February 11, 2020 at St. Peter’s Church, 22 State Street in Westfield. A burial with full military honors will follow at the Massachusetts Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Agawam.
We would like to close with a Sailor’s Prayer by Capt. Chad Theesfeld:
Alone I Will Not Be
My comfort will come from the sea.
The stillness of calm waves will gently drift by I will be as one with the sea.
When the sun sets on the ocean blue, remember me as I will always remember you.
As the sun rises…go live life as full as can be.
