Educator and community leader Marvin Goodman, 94

Marvin Goodman, 94, passed away Friday, Dec. 24, 2021.

A Bronx resident since childhood, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife Phyllis, and his brother Irving. He is survived by his brother Jerry, his daughters Gail and Maracia, and his granddaughters Hilary, Alyssa and Phoebe.

He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from City College, first becoming a teacher and then an administrator in the New York City schools, spending most of his career at P.S. 189 in Washington Heights.

He was a selfless and tireless leader in many civic and community groups, serving on Community Board 8 (along with his wife Phyllis) for many years on its parks, libraries, land use and aging committees. He was an early leader in the New York City Council of Supervisors and Administrators, president of its Bronx retiree chapter, and delegate to the Central Labor Council.

Additionally, he was president of the Association of Assistant Principals, and served on the executive boards of the New York Labor History Association and the New York Association of Retired Americans.

While at the time of his death he was a member of Congregation Sharei Shalom, he had previously belonged to Riverdale Temple for many years, where he served as president. He also was a member of the Shalom Aleichem Cultural Center in the Bronx.

Unusual for a man of his generation, he was a very hands-on father and grandfather. He baked and did crafts with his daughters, and attended most of his granddaughters’ concerts, sports games, and all their important milestones. He kept up with weekly phone calls to family and friends near and far.

He was an educator, a linguist, a world traveler, a lover of the arts, and a civic and union leader. He will be sorely missed.

A private funeral was held Sunday, Dec. 26.

Donations may be made in Marvin Goodman’s memory to any organization dedicated to literacy — especially for children — a Jewish institution, or workers’ rights or labor causes.