NEWPORT NEWS — John I. Goldsboro Sr., 79, born and raised in Bridgeton, New Jersey, passed away Thursday, May 21, 2020, on the early morning of his 79th birthday in the comfort of his home.
After several weeks of declining health, John passed away peacefully with his devoted partner of 40 years, Mary Hooper; and his two children, John I. Goldsboro Jr. and Kelly Goldsboro Walker, by his side. John was the son of the late Frank and Rebecca Goldsboro (Nee Loatman).
John was a U.S. Army veteran. He worked at Owen Illinois in Bridgeton, New Jersey; General Motors New Jersey; and was an accomplished and renowned master carpenter for the City of Bridgeton, New Jersey, before relocating to Newport News. He was the respected owner of two successful Class A, general contracting companies, Goldsboro Contracting and VIP Consulting, primarily working on 8(a) government projects, based out of Newport News.
John was preceded in death by his siblings, Doris Pierce, Helen Morris, Elaine Street, William “Billy” Goldsboro and Frank Goldsboro Jr.; and John’s beloved grandson, Jonathan Ryan Goldsboro.
John is survived by his loving and devoted life partner of 40 years, Mary Hooper; son, John I. Goldsboro Jr.; daughter, Kelly E. Goldsboro Walker, and her husband, Jeffrey Walker; former wife and mother of his children, Joan P. Goldsboro; stepsons, Otis Hooper, and his wife, Ganielle, and Stephen Hooper, and his wife, Kelly; brothers, George Goldsboro, Wayne Goldsboro and Linwood Goldsboro; sisters, Rose Smith, Bernice Bailey and Marion Harris; grandchildren, Claire Goldsboro (Murray), Lauren T. Goldsboro, Ciara Goldsboro Garner, Justin Goldsboro, Deja Walker and Justin Goldsboro; great-grandchildren, Korryn “Princess” Goldsboro and Braelyn “Boy boy” Garner; lifelong friends, General Wallace, Arnold (retired U.S. Army), Len Myers, Howard Mason and Charlie Thompson; and extended family, Francis “Bud” Earley, Kathy Perry, Steve Early, Suzan Walsh and Sherry and Bill Moller.
John was extremely proud of his Native American Heritage being an active tribal member of the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Indian Tribe of the Delmarva Peninsula and the Lenape of southern New Jersey and northern Delaware. John will forever be remembered for traveling to tribal pow wows in his 48-foot mobile home and riding the East Coast for motorcycle shows, and placing on display his most prized possession, his custom made Native American Visual Collaboration Motorcycle Trike that he had built in 2004.
He enjoyed spending time with his friends and family; sitting in his comfortable double-wide chair; watching Westerns, Alaska’s Deadliest Catch and his favorite professional athlete, Tiger Woods, on the golf course. His interest in current events ranged from the antics in Washington, D.C., to the antics posted on Facebook.
We will forever remember John as one of the strongest and greatest men there was. John may have left us physically, but we will never truly be without him because John has left his print on everyone’s heart who has ever truly known him. John’s love of life, family, laughter, his infamous comedic sarcasm, life stories and childhood memories have been, and always will be, part of his life’s legacy forever. And for this, we will forever be grateful.
“For the wages sin pays is death, but the gift God gives is everlasting life by Christ Jesus or Lord.” Romans 6:23
“And He will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no mor, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4
A special thank you to Dr. Keith Taylor of TPMG, as our family’s personal physician, for his loving care and support from the beginning right up until John’s final days and even thereafter.
For all those closest to John throughout his many years, you may find this quote fitting in regard to his opinion of his culinary skills, “I was never too keen about bragging on myself, but you must admit, I was the best!”
The man. The myth. And now, the legend.
The Goldsboro family.
Share online condolences with the family at Weymouth Funeral Home.
