Michael D. Goodelle

Michael D. Goodelle

It is with incredible sadness that we announce the passing of Michael Donald "Goody" Goodelle who passed away unexpectedly near his home in Avon, Ohio. He was only 54 years young. He will be missed in so many ways by his family, colleagues, and many friends.

Mike was born in Erie, Pennsylvania and attended St. George Catholic School where he graduated as the Daughters of the American Revolution award winner. He then went on to McDowell High School, where he was a dedicated athlete in football and track and field. He played in Erie's Save An Eye All-Star Football Game in 1987, ran sprints and relays in Penn Relays and the state championship in 1986 and 1987. Mike also excelled academically; he was a National Honor Society inductee and Model United Nations representative. One of his greatest joys was being a member of McDowell's class of 1987.

Mike continued to play football then ran cross country and track and field at Allegheny College. He remained extremely close with his teammates, affectionately known as the RATS, Runners Against Training. He served as a Resident Advisor his junior and senior year and earned his bachelor's degree in Economics with a minor in Spanish. He completed his graduate studies at Indiana University, Indianapolis with a Master of Health Administration. Mike's career in health care included director positions at the Richard L. Roudebush Veterans' Administration Medical Center and Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, Hamot Medical Center in Erie, and Mercy Health in Lorain County Ohio. Most recently Mike held the position of Director of Strategic Planning at University Hospitals in Cleveland. He worked at UH for almost a decade to find ways to make care more accessible, most recently reimagining and expanding UH's urgent care model. Mike was known as a friend and mentor to leaders throughout the system and leaves behind dozens of dear coworkers.

Above all else, Mike was a family man. He adored "his girls", Alicia Gebhardt Goodelle, his loving wife of 28 years, and his daughters, Lena Nicole, age 22, and Juliet Jean, age 20. The highlights of his life centered on watching his daughters flourish, Lena as a dancer at Magnificat High School and Loyola University Chicago, and Juliet as track and field star at Avon High School and Health Sciences student at The Ohio State University. Mike was eagerly awaiting Lena's graduation from Loyola University Chicago in May and will be there in spirit cheering her on to her next adventure as she starts her career in Chicago. He lovingly and proudly supported Juliet's choice to pursue a career in health care, following in his footsteps. Lastly, as a family man, Mike begrudgingly supported his girls' wishes to bring a puppy into the family, and ultimately became best friend to Henry Angus, his "15 pound cockapoo."

Anyone who was friends with Mike knew he had a broad span of interests. He spent time fishing with one of his best friends, Tom Mushett, golfing with his brothers, nephews, and neighbors, and playing soccer in leagues in Erie and then Cleveland. Much to the dismay of his in-laws, he was a life-long, avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan. Much to the dismay of the Goodelle side of the family, he grew to love the Cavs and Indians/Guardians after moving to Cleveland. But his biggest sports obsession was the English Premier League and Chelsea Football Club which he followed on a daily basis.

Mike was also a voracious lover of music. His playlists covered everything from classical piano to metal, 90's grunge to EDM, and lots of jazz and blues. He recently started playing the guitar again to fill the empty nest after both girls left for college.

Michael was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather Donald Braine, paternal grandparents Lewis and Jeanette Goodelle, and father-in-law Richard Gebhardt.

In addition to Mike's beloved wife and daughters, he is survived by his hero, his maternal grandmother Jackie Braine, his loving parents Gary and Kathy Goodelle, brothers Jason Goodelle (Helena), Craig Goodelle (Kelly), and sister Abby Gerlach (Drew), aunt and uncle Cheri and Bob Melani, cousin Stef Trudnowski (Mike), mother-in-law Marilyn Gebhardt, brother-in-law Keith Gebhardt (Kathy), sister-in-law Ann Kelly (Liam), and nieces and nephews who he cherished with all his heart.

Mike was the best there is in all of us. He was an amazing husband, father, son, brother, uncle, colleague, and friend to anyone he met. But really, words can't describe how great of a person he was, and how much goodness he brought to this world.

Family and friends are invited to call on Tuesday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the John R. Orlando Funeral Home, Inc., 2122 Raspberry Street, and may attend a Funeral Mass on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at Saint Peter Cathedral, 230 W 10th St. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Friends who are unable to attend in person can participate in the Mass via live-stream. The link can be found on the St. Peter Cathedral homepage (www.stpetercathedral.com), or at the St. Peter Cathedral YouTube channel. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the University Hospital Foundation (www.uhgiving.org) or Magnificat High School (www.magnificaths.org).