Donald Joseph Goldsworthy
July 01, 1947 - September 19, 2013
Obituary
MADISON-Donald Joseph Goldsworthy, age 66, of Madison, passed away Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013. Don was born in Beloit on July 1, 1947, to Joseph and Ann (Butler) Goldsworthy. He was married to Barbara on Aug. 25, 1973. He was predeceased by his parents and lifelong friend, Paul Newton, who was like a brother to him. He is survived by his wife, Barb; daughters, Laura (Matthew) Higgins and Janie (Eric) Bohn; grandson, Eli Higgins; and expected granddaughter, Eleanor Bohn. He is also survived by his favorite babysitter, Ann (Glen) Shake and her family of Allen, Texas; and by godmother, Betty Carpenter and her family of Warren, Mich. Don valued his friends, enjoyed being a lawyer, and appreciated his Irish heritage. He was a fisherman who savored all fishing trips and who especially enjoyed the annual Revenue Musky trip, which he attended for 20 years. Don caught his first musky on the Revenue trip and was hooked for life. He was commissioned as Second Lieutenant in the US Army Infantry in 1970. Don belonged to the State Bar of Wisconsin, Muskies Inc., Trout Unlimited, QP Parish, and the QP School Board. He was an avid gardener, visited children as Santa in a neighborhood program, and loved taking to the woods with a chainsaw. Don felt he had a wonderful life. Barb, Laura, Janie, his grandchildren, and sons-in-law were the center of Don's life. He appreciated the fine care provided by UW Carbonne Cancer Center, especially that of Dr. Justine Bruce and her colleagues and by Agrace HospiceCare. Throughout his recent medical struggles, Don never forgot his sense of humor and appreciation for life. Funeral services will be held at OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE CHURCH, 401 S. Owen Dr., Madison, at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 24. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Beloit. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL HOME, 7435 University Ave., Middleton, at from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 23, 2013, and at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service on Tuesday. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Queen of Peace Endowment Fund or to the UW Carbonne Cancer Center.
Gunderson West
Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Ave.
(608) 831-6761
Events
Visitation
Mon Sep 23, 2013 @ 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Madison • 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716
Visitation
Tue Sep 24, 2013 @ 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT
Our Lady Queen of Peace Church (Madison) • 401 S. Owen Drive, Madison, WI
Service
Tue Sep 24, 2013 @ 11:00 AM CDT
Our Lady Queen of Peace Church (Madison) • 401 S. Owen Drive, Madison, WI
Photos
No photos of Donald have been shared yet.
Memories
WB
Wendy Blanchard
Other •
Barb, Laura & Janie,
You are very much in our thoughts and prayers. We have such fond memories of your family as our next door neighbors on Woodside Terrace.
Evan & Wendy Blanchard
TF
The Lefebvre Family
Other •
Our family was saddened to learn of Don's passing. While we did not know him well, he was the benchmark for a good and gentle man. For a time, Elizabeth and Laura were childhood pals and in those few moments, spent over time, with Don, you were always touched by his essential nature. He gave some amazing Life Lessons on how to really live. For that, we are grateful.
DA
Doug and Jill Annis
Other •
Barb and family, please accept our heartfelt sympathies. I enjoyed chatting with Don after mass. He was always ready to talk fishing, especially muskie fishing. Although I never had the pleasure of joining him in a boat, I will take his memory and think of him fondly when I'm out on the water.
BG
Ben Grattan
Other •
Barb and family, please accept our sympathies. I enjoyed working with Don at Revenue for many years. Don always had good stories, especially fishing stories. Don was a very smart and loving caring guy.
Ben Grattan and Family