Robert R. Goodfellow

Robert R. Goodfellow died peacefully on April 1, 2013 at the Glen Crest facility in Danbury. Bob was born in Bridgeport on January 28, 1913, a son of the late Edward and Carolyn Ringli Goodfellow and was 100 years old. In 1942 Bob moved to Brookfield and has been a resident of the area for over 70 years. During that time he became lovingly known as “Pops” to all who knew him.

Together with Harry Ashmore he co-founded the Goodfellow Ashmore Real Estate and Insurance Agency in 1934. Bob was considered a pioneer in the commercial real estate business in Connecticut and was one of the first members of the Society of Office and Industrial Realtors (SIOR) in the state. In 1990, Bob proudly handed over the control of his business to his grandson Todd Payne, which today includes Goodfellow Ashmore and ERA Goodfellow Homes. Bob was responsible for the relocation of numerous new businesses to the Danbury area such as Davis and Geck, Barden, and Eagle Pencil. He was also a mentor and role model for an entire generation of the real estate industry in greater Danbury.

Always a believer in community and giving back, Bob was the first president of the Danbury Kiwanis Club and a co-founder and first Chairman of the Regional YMCA. He also served on multiple boards including the Danbury Hospital, Danbury Library and Danbury Chamber of Commerce. He was a 32nd degree Mason and a member of the Jesters and Eastern Star.

He played golf at the Ridgewood CC where he was a member for over 60 years and served on the board of directors. He played often with his good friends Nat Talarico and Norby Mitchell and they became known as the “sundowners” – a Ryder Cup tournament is played in their honor every year.

Bob attended Central High School in Bridgeport where he was an outstanding football player. It was in high school where Bob met his future bride of 55 years Bernice. Bernice predeceased Bob in 1987.

Bob is survived by his daughter Denice Payne and her husband Bobby of Brookfield, CT. Grandson Todd Payne and his wife, Heather, of Bridgewater, CT, granddaughter Megan Mancuso of Danbury, CT and great grandchildren Faith Mancuso, Amanda Payne and Erica Payne. His sister-in-law, Alice Goodfellow of Fairfield , his caregiver Antoinette Ayala and several nieces and nephews also survive. Bob was predeceased by his siblings: Norman Goodfellow, Kenneth Goodfellow and Marjorie Alves.

Funeral Services will be conducted Friday at 11am at St. Paul Church, 174 Whisconier Rd., Brookfield with the Rev. Joseph Shepley, Rector, officiating. Burial will follow in Lands End Cemetery, Hawleyville, CT. Friends will be received on Thursday from 5pm to 7pm at the Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Bob’s memory may be made to the Regional YMCA of Western CT, 2 Huckleberry Hill Rd., Brookfield, CT 06804 or go to www.regionalymca.org. For further information or to express condolences on line, go to www.thegreenfuneralhome.com.