I’ve had the good fortune to meet and work with a number of caring, dedicated funeral directors.  But the words “Funeral Director” are more than just a title.  For many, it becomes a definition of who they are and remains with them forever.

Funeral directing is one of those unique careers that allows the title-bearer to pursue it into their later years.  That’s what happened to my friend, Ed Goff.

Edwin Goff graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Chicago before being called to military service in 1943.  Returning as a WWII Veteran, he intended to work in the family funeral home, but his father sold it before he got home!

(Above:  Ed (lower right), his wife, Eileen and family)

Ed and his wife, Eileen, moved to Florida and opened Goff Ice Cream on Orange Blossom Trail in Orlando in 1948.

If asked, Ed would tell stories about his ice cream stand and the important front window, through which many cones were served.

During less-tolerant times, Ed stood out from the pack because he was willing to serve all races at his shop.  What raised the ire of the local white supremacists was that he served everyone from the same little window in the front of the store. 

I didn’t meet Ed until he was already in his eighties, but I can imagine how he reacted when leaders of the local white supremacists (I’m not saying the KKK, because I can’t remember if he identified them as such) insisted that he stop serving blacks.

Ed wasn’t too philosophical about it:  black people hadn’t done anything to him but buy his product. 

When they asked him to at least put in a separate window, he still didn’t see the point.  After all, it was still the same ice cream.  It would tell his customers that he thought less of them.  It would still cost the same, except for all the expense to add a new window.

When he refused, the group decided to help him with the demolition costs by setting off an explosion (under cover of darkness) in the side wall.

Ed fixed the damage and kept the single window.  When I asked him why, he was self-effacing and took no credit for the bravery I believe he showed.  He just didn’t want anyone to tell him what to do.  In his mind, he should be able to interact with his customers the way he wanted.

The last time I passed Goff Ice Cream (it’s still operating) I saw a line of folks waiting for the new operator (a black woman) to sell them ice cream.   

When he sold the store after 25 years, Ed finally got around to putting his degree to use:  he joined Carey-Hand Funeral Homes in Winter Park as a funeral director.

In his later years, Ed worked with another funeral director to handle funeral services.  A team of other directors handled the day to day operations and made the arrangements.  Ed and his partner, Dan Coughlin, would handle the service and interment.

Ed retired just a few years ago.  When I last saw him handle a service, he was a consumate pro, even taking time out to teach a new director why he made the decisions he did.

How many other careers allow you to work into your late eighties?  Heck, how many other careers would you want to work into your late eighties?

Edwin Goff died Saturday, May 5, 2007.  He was 89 years old.  Visitation for Ed was held in the funeral home where he served so many years.  A Mass of Christian Burial was held for him at his church, St. Margaret Mary Catholic in Winter Park.  You can read the Orlando Sentinel feature obit for Ed by clicking here.