Robert John Goss

Robert John Goss, 91, of Milford, NH, passed to his final rest on January 11, 2012 at his home and in the presence of his loved ones. Born on June 29th, 1920, he was the eldest son of the late Harold J. and Mary (Lund) Goss of Nashua, N.H. He had three brothers, Laurence R. Goss and his wife Doris of Glens Falls, N.Y. who have survived him, and the late Harold W. and Donald F. Goss. Robert was educated in Nashua schools and worked in his spare time in a radio shop as well as other things. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II as a member of the Communications staff at a base in Seattle, Washington. Upon his discharge, he attended Wentworth Institute of Technology, completed the work for his graduation, then remained there as an instructor for four years. At one time he worked with his father at International Paper Box Machine Co. and then for Sanders Associates for a short time. During these years, he enjoyed singing in the Church Choir at Pilgrim Congregational Church and also frequented the Square Dances with his lifelong friend, Carol Marshall. An opportunity came along for a teaching position at N.H. Vocational-Technical Institute in Manchester. He took the position and taught there for 29 years until he retired in 1985. During this time, his parents with whom he had been living, decided to sell their home in Nashua. They chose to live in a nursing home in Milford. Robert moved to Milford and rented space at the home of his brother, Harold and wife Phyllis. In time he found his own apartment and lived on his own for the first time. While living there, he met Kerry Chandler who had the apartment below his. They found they had many interests in common and became fast friends for more than 30 years. Kerry could cook, Robert could not, that helped to seal the deal. They took many trips to Maine to visit Kerry’s family. Robert got a lot of pleasure from the visits, and made many new friends there. Robert attended the First Congregational Church of Milford for over 29 years. He sang in the Chancel Choir, served as Treasurer of the Antique Show for a period of time and became the Financial Secretary of the Church for many years. He had been “bitten by the computer bug” and learned to write his own programs in Basic for the financial positions at the Church and to help with the computation of grades with the school. He spent countless hours with his computer. He also helped to maintain the Church mailings lists, and was a member of the “Greeting Gang” which collated and assembled the Church newsletter. As time passed, he realized it was time to give up some of these things. He retired again and settled into a quiet daily routine. His health declined, but he was the same gentle, kind, quiet, patient and giving person he had always been. He leaves his family of one niece and two nephews, Sally Taft of NY, Philip and Alice Goss of VT, and David and Colleen Goss of NY. He was predeceased by a nephew, Harold Goss II. Visiting hours are Friday, January 27th from 5:00-8:00 pm in the Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 28th at 10:00 am in the First Congregational Church of Milford, 10 Union Street, Milford. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Milford. Memorial donations can be made to the First Congregational Church of Milford and will be deposited to the Chandler/Goss Building Fund, P.O. Box 188, Milford, NH 03055.