Hy Goodman passed away on Sunday, April 11, 2004, at age 83. A 26-year fleet industry veteran, Goodman retired from GE Capital Fleet Services in 1996. Goodman began working in the fleet industry in 1970. He worked for Hertz Leasing, Auto Rental Corporation, and in the late 1970s joined Gelco Corporation, which later was acquired by GE Capital Fleet Services. He remained at GE Capital Fleet Services until he retired. Goodman was also an active member of the New England Chapter of the National Association of Fleet Administrators (NAFA) and was honored by NAFA with its first Outstanding Chapter Service Award, which was presented to him in 1991 at the organization’s annual FMI Conference in Atlanta. Hy Goodman was buried on April 14 in Sharon, Mass. Below is a remembrance of Hy Goodman by Greg Asadoorian, global fleet manager for Invensys in Foxboro, MA: “Hy represented a kinder and gentler time in this business of ours. His style of salesmanship was founded on developing and fostering strong personal relationships with people. Often those relationships turned into long-lasting friendships. Hy was a consummate supporter of the customer. He didn't always know where each piece of paper went, but he knew whom to call to instantly resolve a customer issue. “It was commonplace for Hy to show up for a meeting with a bag of tomatoes he grew in his home garden in one hand, and a bag of bagels still warm from the deli that morning in the other hand. Hy was a great story and joke teller, many of which contained tidbits of life's trials and tribulations. Hy would ask, "Have I told you the one about...” and of course you had heard it, but because he told the story so well, and the fact that you knew how much he loved to make you laugh, you never let on that he told you the story at least 10 times before. Many of the stories were of real-life situations, some of which can be told in public, while others, let's just say were between you and him! If you met this wonderful man, then no doubt you too had a story of your own to tell. “Hy maintained an office at his home in Newton, Mass. You were never sure, but somewhere under that stack of papers was a desk. How he could find anything was amazing. But when it came to food there was no mystery. He loved it, especially Chinese food from the Golden Temple in Brookline or the deli in Newton. If you were meeting with Hy, food always entered into the equation. If you were fortunate to be with Hy for a day, or several days, as in the case of the annual NAFA Conference (FMI), no sooner were you done with breakfast, he was looking for lunch and then making arrangements for dinner. Somehow during and in-between meals he always got the job done. “For years Hy was the soul and spirit of the New England Chapter of NAFA. He coordinated the annual golf outings and was the master of ceremony. In 1991, his efforts were recognized when he received the very first Outstanding Chapter Service Award at the annual FMI Conference in Atlanta. Hy was truly an ambassador for NAFA, and to the fleet industry. He touched many lives and you were enriched for knowing him. He was simply the best, and unfortunately for all of us, the mold is broken, and he will forever be one of a kind!! “The only thing Hy loved more than his friendships, food, and golf was his family. He is survived by his wife Bernice to whom he was married for 63 years, two daughters, Joyce in Rye N.Y., Nancy in West Roxbury, Mass., and three grandchildren, Ingrid, Ben, and Abby, who were his pride and joy.” The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either of the following: Jewish Family Service of Metro West
475 Franklin Street, Suite 101
Framingham, MA 01702
(508) 875-3100

Or:

Tilton School Annual Fund
30 School Street
Tilton, NH 03276