Edward Rene Goffaux

On February 2, 2019 Ed was joyfully received by Heavenly Father, his parents, nephew, grand-children and great-grandson.

Ed was born in Charleston, West Virginia to Lenora Catherine Hulbert and Joseph Rene Goffaux on September 19, 1935. Ed graduated from St. Mary’s High School and from St. Joseph College on the Rio Grand in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He received his MBA from Pepperdine University in California. Consequently he was a proponent for education and was able to establish a special fund at Aerojet to assist line workers to pursue an education, especially encouraging young single mothers.

He truly was a rocket scientist as he was employed in the aerospace industry for over 45 years beginning at Thiokol in Utah and ending as Director of Quality and Reliability for Tactical Systems at Aero Jet in Sacramento, California.

He developed an interest in boats by the age of eight when he began building sailboats and tried to launch them in the Charleston River. He had the opportunity to sail the Pacific Cup from San Francisco to Hawaii and sail around New Zealand. A 20 year stint in the Rockies gave him a love of nature and he was known for long drives exploring the world around him. During the summer while working at Thiokol he drove weekly to Sunlight, Wyoming, to help on a family dude ranch, always fixing something!

Love of God, family and his passion for sailing gave his life meaning, direction and offered those around him many “opportunities” for learning. A man of integrity, deep commitment, and strong values always placed others needs above himself.

Ed has been a member of the Knights of Columbus for 40 years and devoted much of his time to service at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Elk Grove, California, while serving within all the ranks numerous times. He was a founding member and past Grand Knight at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Riverton, he participated in every activity and made many lifelong friends who supported him through his declining years.

He is survived by his wife Linda and mother-in-law Elizabeth Quintana and his brother Joseph Frank Goffaux. Children by a previous marriage to Lyn Goffaux include; Julie Kirschman, Celeste (Ron) Rosquist, Paul (Sherry) Goffaux, and Frances (Brett) Burgeson. Grand-children; Peter (Andrea) Kirschman, Simon (Christin) Kirschman, Liesl (DJ) Artherton, Clare (James) Berejkoff, Renee (Shaun) Tilby, David (Angelina) Kirschman, Mary (Jared) Peterson, Alicia Kirschman, Jacob (Stephanie) Kirschman, Mark Rosquist, Jacquelle (Ben) Sorenson, Hyrum Rosquist, Edward, Marina, Sterling, Nathan (Cassie) Burgeson, Kyrsta, Megan, and Samatha. He has had the joy of loving and enjoying 25 great-grand-children. We will all miss his “ism’s” and opportunities.

The family would like to thank the staff at Pheasant Run and Rocky Mountain Hospice for their care and support.

A viewing will be held on Tuesday, February 12th with Recitation of the Holy Rosary beginning at 7:00 PM at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City, where friends and family may visit until 9:00 PM. Parking is available on the north side of the building. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated the following day, Wednesday February 13th, at 12:30 PM at the Cathedral of The Madeleine, 331 East South Temple, Salt Lake City, committal to follow at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 4th Avenue and T Street, Salt Lake City. Family and friends are invited for refreshments in Scanlan Hall (located in the basement of The Cathedral) following the graveside.