Benjamin R. Goodale

Benjamin Ruggles Goodale of Calverton died suddenly Oct. 15. He was 42 years old.

He was born July 19, 1971, in Southampton to Harold Jr. and Margaret (Hildreth) Goodale. He graduated from Riverhead High School in 1990. He married Katherine Curtin Nov. 10, 2006, in Aquebogue.

Mr. Goodale was a 15-year veteran of the Riverhead Police Department and was active in the Police Benevolent Association, as well as a member of the Riverhead Fire Department. He cooked at many police functions and played on the department softball team. According to his wife, Kathy, Mr. Goodale was happiest when spending time with her and their sons, whether it be vacationing in Maine, traveling throughout the United States to watch football games or going out on friends’ boats in Peconic Bay. He enjoyed golfing and was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Yankees fan. She described him as “an amazing husband and father.”

In addition to his wife and his parents, Mr. Goodale is survived by his sons and his brothers, Daniel and Timothy, as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins.

The family received visitors Oct. 18 at McLaughlin Heppner Funeral Home in Riverhead. A funeral service was held Oct. 19 at Old Steeple Community Church in Aquebogue. Cremation was private.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.