Joanne E. Goff, 79
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Joanne Elizabeth Goff, 79, of Williamstown, a longtime local business owner, died Monday, Nov. 9, 2015, following complications related to Alzheimers.
Born in Johnstown, Penn., on Oct. 18, 1936, daughter of Vincenzo James and Rosella Biandino, she attended schools there and graduated high school in 1954.
Mrs. Goff was the owner and operator with her late husband, Rudy Goff, of Goff's Sports and the Williams Shop on Spring Street for many years, until transferring ownership in 1995 to her son, Bruce Goff, who continues to run the family business.
She and her husband married in 1956 and initially traveled between his assistant golf pro jobs in Florida and Ohio, during which time their daughters Becky and Sherry were born. In 1961, they moved to Stockbridge, where Mr. Goff was the golf professional at Stockbridge Golf Course and sons Bruce and Jim were born.
Mr. Goff quickly established himself as a top professional golfer in Berkshire County and was hired in 1964 to become the golf professional at Taconic Golf Club, and coach of the Williams College golf team, positions he held for 20 years. He also was an accomplished player and well-loved coach, instructor, and club pro.
In 1968, the couple bought property on Stone Hill, which became a special family place in the country where they lived for 25 years. They also made a bold move the same year to buy the Dempsey Building and the Williams College Pharmacy on Spring Street. The building and business were clearly "not for sale," but the owner liked the young couple and eventually sold.
The pharmacy was gradually converted to Goff's Sports, for which Mrs. Goff took primary responsibility as her husband was busy with golf at Taconic and Williams for much of the year. She was very much hands on, and a hard worker. She had a flair for style, knowing what would sell, and drove much of the store's offerings. In addition to sporting goods, Goff's Sports sold Williams apparel. Sensing an opportunity, she led the expansion of the store and the creation of the Williams Shop in 1984, which focused on selling apparel and just about anything with "Williams" on it to alumni, families and students. This became the primary focus of the business with Joanne as its key driver.
Mr. Goff died in 1990 at age 55.
She leaves her two daughters, Rebecca Goff Stillman of Hubbardston and Sherry Jean Goff of Hilton Head, S.C.; two sons, Bruce Goff of Williamstown and James "Jim" Goff of Evergreen, Colo.; Ed Dinowitz, her longtime companion; a sister, Mary Kanuch of Johnstown, Penn.; 12 grandchildren, Jamie, Jonathan and Libby Stillman, Kim, Dylan and Rudy Goff, Lincoln, Morgan and Gates Lucas, and Taylor, Rudy and Graylen Goff; and four great-grandchildren, Madison, Patrick and Julia Ross, and Jack Ciempa.
FUNERAL NOTICE — A liturgy of Christian Burial for Mrs. Goff will be celebrated on Friday, Nov. 13, at 9:00 a.m. at St. Patrick's Church in Williamstown. Burial will follow in Eastlawn Cemetery.
Calling hours will be Thursday, Nov. 12, from 4 to 7 at Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals , West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams.