Monday, February 12, 2018
I consider Roger Godwin a deep friend who shared senior year high school with me. He was one of my best friends in 1981/1982.
Soon after Chaminade junior year was over in 1981, I met Roger in the parking lot of Hickey Field. He was in the driver's seat of his father's green LTD. The LTD was a major car with a major engine and Roger drove it fast. We were all getting the hang of slowing at stop signs. Some of us learned quicker than others. One time Roger entered an intersection in East Rockaway and so did another car at the same time. He stopped short in time. As we sped away toward our destination, Roger said, "I'm glad we didn't hit that car - I left my wallet at home!"
Senior year, Roger was a runner, and a good one. He was a long distance guy. He could run forever.
Roger was friends with everyone from East Rockaway. Everyone liked this good-looking, smiling guy.
I remember watching the Robby Benson movie, "One on One", with Roger at his house. The movie ended at like 11:00 o'clock at night. Roger thought Robbie Benson reminded him of himself. He was right. I think the movie was a basketball movie. After it ended, we went outside and Roger played basketball like a whirling dervish until 1 in the morning.
We used to hang out in Laurel N.Y. in the summers where his family rented a house.
In college, I lost touch with Roger. He went to Lehigh, I guess, and I always wondered how he was. I was psyched to re-meet him much later. He was hitting the big whiffle ball on Wall Street!
I saw Roger at Plandome/RVC swim meets. I made sure to go to that one every year, just to see how he was doing. I recall visiting him at the fire house and seeing first-hand his devotion to firefighting. He was laying out the fire hoses for cleaning.
I saw him on a flight to Bermuda and said hi. I called him up after getting my pilot's license and asked what was the safest clothing in a cockpit to retard a fire on board. I remember he told me, "natural fibers," which I wear every time I fly now because of his advice.
I liked Roger Goodwin very much. I considered him a sincere friend growing up and I liked him a lot. I am very sad he is not with us today. Driving away from the firehouse with the huge ladders lighted like a pyramid in his honor, I knew Roger was rightfully proud of his family. Any man who leaves of legacy like you good people has done a great job to be proud of.
Best, John Aicher, Jr.
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