My Father's Eulogy

Thanks to everyone who came out this afternoon and this evening to visit my father and my family. As hard of a time as this is, your support is what keeps my family strong.

As your friend Teddy Roosevelt once said,

“Believe you can and you’re half way there.”

Dad, you unintentionally lived by his words as if they were your own. You have believed in your family for over twenty-two years, from bankruptcy and petty arguments to the pursuit of dreams and goals, and everything in between.

You would climb a mountain for the people you loved with the same enthusiasm and pride that you were known for, no matter how high that mountain may be. As a father, you always wanted your little chickadees to be happy, and you spoiled us and ran around the house like a five year old until the outcome satisfied your expectations. Whether you know it or not, you exceeded those expectations on a regular basis. Even the little things made every second with you an unforgettable experience, like playing along when I pretended to be asleep or hiding behind doors when I would bother you so much that you would have to chase me around the house or even, simply, driving me to and from various rinks, talking hockey and singing to the craziest songs the whole way there. As unfortunate as it is that I don’t remember every crazy adventure we embarked on together, I am appreciative that those daily car-ride extravaganzas brought us closer and closer together, you believing in me every step of the way. Without your love, enthusiasm, pride, and devotion, I never would have fallen in love with the sport that has forever changed my life. Everyone keeps telling me about how proud you were of me, and how you projected that pride onto everyone you met, but I was blinded by your dedication to molding me into the young lady and devoted athlete I am today. Daddy, without you cheering me on, it feels almost impossible to keep doing what I’m doing. Just like Teddy said, you believed in me enough to stand by my side as we clawed our way through the ups and downs, and now my belief in your intentions will give me the ‘umph’ and the guidance that will lead me to the goal that you and I have always dreamed of.

Today, the people whose lives you have impacted with your strength, your humor, and your big, and I mean BIG, heart have all come together to show you how much you mean to them, and how much simply smiling at everything imaginable can change anyone’s life.

I love you, Daddy. And even though I am left to fight this battle alone, I know I will persevere, just like you have done every day for the past fifty-eight years. I see you, now, in everything I do, and I know that this battle will be easier with you holding my hand, every step of the way.

Rest In Peace, and May your family, your friends, and your love for all things beautiful and strong, guide you to a better place, where I know you are happy.

Daniel Edward Francis Goin

October 14, 1951 – January 15, 2010

Rest In Peace. You will live on in our hearts.

RIP Old Man Bones

Dear Daddy,

I love you more than anything in the whole wide world. Your family and friends love you. And we all miss you so much. We agree that it was not your time to go, but we know that you are in a better place. You're happy now. Don't worry about us; we've got our friends and family, as well as your friends and family, here supporting us and taking care of us. You are all that is on our minds, and we just wish that we could have said a better good-bye. We are looking at the positives, though. You went and saw Timmy last week in Florida and, even though it was cold there, too, you got to get out of the house and spend some time with your little brother. We, as a family, fought through your unemployment over the past year and it seems as though it was better that way. You didn't have to work for your whole life, and you enjoyed having this time off. I enjoyed you having this time off. All of our road trips sing-alongs and hockey extravaganzas have helped me enjoy every minute I spent with you, and now, you are helping me to grow and become the young lady that you have always wanted me to become. Mom

was on the phone with Joan this morning and in your honor, instead of cliché flowers, Joan Van Hise and Lynn Vanderlinden are establishing The Dan Goin Foundation. It is going to be an organization that raises money for female hockey players who cannot afford to play hockey and get an education. We all love you so much, and you touched the lives of everyone you have ever met. Your enthusiasm and passion towards everything you do is what motivates me to reach my limits and I thank you. I love you so much, and I know that there are so many people that are here for you. You are and will be missed. For your funeral, we are dressing you in your usual. A pair of blue jeans over a pair of long-johns, tall socks, your New Jersey Selects t-shirt underneath the nice dress shirt/sweater shirt that Mommy got you for Christmas, all topped off with your favorite New Jersey Selects cap. Be happy, Daddy. We are sad that you're gone, but we all know deep down that it is better. You're in a peaceful state of mind, now. No more chaos. We love you and miss you, Old Man Bones. Rest In Peace.

Daniel Goin

October 11, 1951 - January 15, 2010

You will live on in our hearts.