Obituary of Carl R. Goodbread

ST. JOHNSVILLE - Carl R. Goodbread, age 78, of St. Johnsville, New York, entered the Gates of Heaven 19 years to the exact same day that his sister, Zelda, predeceased him on Friday, January 20, 2023, in Albany, New York as a result of complications due to COVID-19, despite being vaccinated and fully boosted. Carl was born on October 21, 1944, in Little Falls, New York, a son of the late Beaulah and Ward Goodbread. Carl was a graduate from St. Johnsville Central High School, 'Class of 1965'. After honorably serving in the United States Army, Carl went on to become a Chief Lock Operator for the New York State Thruway Authority wherein he worked for 39 years. Carl will always be known as a man that unconditionally loved his daughters and grandchildren and time spent with them, his hometown of St. Johnsville, New York, having coffee with many friends at the Bridge Street Diner and the former Hungry Bear Cafe, playing cards throughout the years with a long list of dear friends, playing pitch recently at the St. Johnsville American Legion and at the Battisti's, the years spent with Tommy, Stella and Dale, the Bridge Street Diner gang, his morning weekend breakfasts at Rob and Sheila's, getting the biggest turkey he could find for his family to enjoy on his favorite Thanksgiving holiday and his constant staple of enjoyment - sitting on the front porch of his home, waving to countless friends as they passed by or visiting with friends as they stopped to see him. Carl had a big heart and loved helping people. He never said no when asked for help. Through the years, Carl engaged in many volunteer activities, whether through donations, time, working on events at the Benefit Club, or most important to him, helping his daughters. Carl leaves behind his two precious daughters, Jacquelyn Gazaille Cogan (husband, Torrence Cogan), of Rome, NY and Sheila Kucharski (husband, Robert Kucharski), of Canajoharie, NY; his three precious grandchildren, Robert William Kucharski. Jr., Ryan Carl Kucharski and Joan Rose Gazaille. He also leaves behind many nieces, great-nieces, a great-nephew, who liked to call him Uncle Karkle; cousins and many dear friends, including his ex-wife and mother of his children, Cynthia Colorito, a woman that he remained to love throughout his years on earth. Carl was predeceased by his mother, Beaulah Goodbread; his father, Ward Goodbread; his brother, Edward Goodbread; and his sisters, Zelda DeThomas and Barbara Goodbread. The family would like to give a special thank you to all friends and family who have reached out during Carl's time at Albany Medical Center, together with special nurse Maria DeVito and Dr. Wong, at Albany Medical Center, Dr. Riley, who has always given incredible care to Carl, including a call to the family from his Hawaii vacation to check in on Carl, Stevie Swartz for being there to look after Carl whenever Carl's girls or Carl asked him for help, and Kevin Enea, for coming at a moment's notice in the middle of the night to safely return Carl from the comfort of his hospital bed back to his beloved hometown of St. Johnsville, NY. In lieu of a wake and funeral, Carl's wishes were to have a summertime celebration of his life, which will be determined at a later date and time. Carl’s funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Enea Family Funeral Home, St. Johnsville, NY (518-568-2300). Online condolences may be left at www.eneafamily.com