Obituary of Gerry E. Goodrich
October 26, 2020
Gerry Elbridge Goodrich
February 9, 1945 – October 26, 2020
A native of Haverhill, Massachusetts, Gerry Goodrich moved to New York City in 1982 after serving in the Peace Corps in Kenya and holding rural health positions in West Africa. A graduate of Middlebury College, Boston University School of Law, and the Harvard School of Public Health, he held a number of executive positions in hospital and health care policy and administration in both the private and public sectors in New York, New Jersey, and abroad retiring in 2016 from Weill Cornell Medical College.
In New Jersey, he served as Deputy Commissioner of Health, the CEO of an urban hospital, and as an Executive Vice President of Barnabas Health. In New York, he has held positions in management consulting, group practice management, and at the NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation. Internationally, he held positions for the Harvard Institute of International Development in Mali, West Africa, and at the China Center for Economic Research at Beijing University.
Highly regarded for his ability to explain complex topics with clarity, Gerry was a member of the faculty of Weill Cornell Medical College and previously taught at the Wagner Graduate School of Public Service at New York University and in the physician executive education program at the Harvard School of Public Health.
Renowned for his curiosity, exuberant zest for life, love of intrepid travel, and gift for friendships, Gerry thrived on the energy and culture of urban life in New York City but also loved spending as much time as possible in rural Connecticut where he built stone walls, gardened, and golfed. Wherever he was, he welcomed his amazing range of friends to share his passions, his joy in his latest intellectual pursuit, his wine, his family, his life. He will always be missed by his wife Susan Caughman, daughters Hope and Charlotte Goodrich, son-in-law Patrick Whitehead, nephews Peter and Michael Bessey, niece Jennifer Wheeler, as well as many colleagues and friends.
Donations in his memory may be made to the Medicare Rights Center (https://www.medicarerights.org/) an organization dear to his heart.
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May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times. Please except my condolences.
Posted by: Simone Taylor - , - November 1, 2020
FCC SoCal is very sad to hear the news of Gerry's passing. Sending love and prayers during this difficult time.
Posted by: Kathy Hauck - Los Angeles, CA - November 18, 2020
This photo of Gerry -- is perfect and priceless.... it's how I have and will always remember him... remembering him smiling at our FCC meetings, gatherings at their NYC apartment and summer parties in Connecticut, dancing, foodie feasts, and also as Susan's helpmate. I still think of them as the Mom and Dad of FCC NYC...
I never fully understood all the hats Gerry wore in the health care industry -- they were many.... Now I know -- I suspected he was modest about the strings he pulled, the mergers he helped to negotiate and the commitment he had to do what is sensible and good for others -- I know that urge -- it is common to find in former Peace Corps Volunteers.
I grieve that he had to go through his cancer treatments --- and become a consumer rather than a giver of health care.... and I pray for Susan and Hope and Charlotte for holding fast to the memories of healthy and happy days.
The world needs so many more Gerrys. I will be giving thanks for him and all the blessings from the Goodrich/Caughman family.
with love, Laura Rittenhouse
Posted by: Laura Rittenhouse - NY, NY - November 24, 2020
It was a pleasure and a joy to share Gerry's passion for France and especially to Caussi. The world needed more Gerry not less.
Yael, Yaniv, Lili & Adah
Posted by: Yaniv NADLER - Paris, - November 26, 2020
My sincere condolences to Susan, Hope and Charlotte.
Gerry has been a client, business associate, partner and good friend for almost 40 years. I have worked with Gerry in many of his various health care roles and can attest to his commitment to both patients and providers. Gerry always provided great vision, support, counsel and comradarie. Beyond his valued business insight, his advice on golf and French wine was always appreciated!
Rest In Peace my friend.
Posted by: Jack gleason - , - December 9, 2020
Scott and I have the fondest memories of him! What a real loss for this little town, but thankfully his memory will live on with his wife and family. He was a kind and sincere gentleman. Our hearts go out to you all, and we will always be here here for you!
Posted by: Mary Reeve - Norfolk, CT - December 10, 2020
In so many ways, Mr.Goodrich has shown me what it means to be alive. Within a day of meeting him, I learned what it means to be in the presence of someone of restless intellect, vivacious curiosity, empathetic nature, enduring love of family, great passion for good wine and food, and all-around great company. All these great traits of his makes it even more difficult to accept that he is gone. I came into their home as a caregiver but whenever he would introduce me to anyone, it will always be " meet Fatima, my other daughter". That was who Mr Goodrich was. He was a very welcoming and pleasant spirit, full of life and a greater will to live. He was a fighter and a humble one at that. He is like a comet blazing through the world, he leaves a long trail of impact and influence of memories among everyone he comes in contact with. He touched my life in ways he probably didn't even know. Even on tough days, he will make sure to wake up and be selfless. He will wake up thinking of others first, worried about others and then himself after. Mr. Goodrich always wanted to do good. I saw that through his day to day interactions with me and his family members. I also saw that through his efforts and zeal towards the medical right center. He is legendary. I believe that indeed this world has lost someone great. someone impactful. someone worth walking the path of this life. It is safe to say he has savored his life to the fullest, through his love for his family, zeal to live, and passion for charity.
I chose the tennis ball candle because I first met him during the period of the national tennis championship, he was very excited and happy to watch it and to discuss it. He enjoyed watching it very much.
He is and will always be missed.
love you very much Gerry.
Posted by: Fatima Kabiru - Bronx, NY - December 16, 2020
