Leonard Arthur (Lenny) Goeke, Sr. was born in St. Louis, MO on July 10, 1922 to Henry Frank Goeke, Jr. and Maria Magdalena "Lena" (Smith). He died peacefully on July 14, 2015 in Milford, MA at the age of 93. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Florence T. (Ellsworth) Goeke in 1998. Lenny is survived by his children, Janice M. Tuffin and her husband Wilson of Acton MA, Linda C. Randolph and her husband Michael of Dawson Springs, KY, Leonard Arthur Jr. and his wife Virginia of Bonita Springs, FL and Johanna B. Reilly and her husband Matthew of Whitinsville, MA, as well as nine grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. Lenny was preceded in death by his brothers, Anthony H. Sr. of St. Louis, MO. and Bernard of Cape Coral, FL, and a sister-in-law, Helen Goeke of Cape Coral, FL, and is survived by his sisters-in-law Josephine Goeke of St. Louis, MO and Lillian Goeke of Cape Coral, Fl as well as several nieces and nephews.

Lenny enlisted in the United States Coast Guard on October 8, 1940 and served his country with distinction during WWII, including in the Solomon Islands and New Guinea. He was mustered out as a Motor Machinists Mate First Class on January 3, 1947. He met and married his beloved wife Florence T. Ellsworth during his time in the service and settled with her, after the war, in Chelsea, MA. In the early 50s Lenny and Florence, along with their 4 children, relocated to Gardner, MA where they shared many happy years together. Lenny worked at Eastern Auto Parts for over 30 years. Upon retirement Lenny and Florence moved back to Chelsea to be closer to Florences family. He continued to work part-time at Mystic Auto Parts in Medford until he was 85. Lenny spent the last 3 years living at the Whitinsville Retirement Home where he enjoyed making new friends and sitting outside where it was quiet and he could watch the flowers grow in the windmill garden. Since January he has been a resident of Beaumont of Northbridge. The family thanks the Beaumont staff for their care of Lenny during his time there. Special thanks to Dr. Eric Matthews and the staff at Milford Regional Medical Center for their caring and compassion during Lennys final days. If you would like to honor Lenny with a donation, please consider giving to the gardening fund at the Whitinsville Retirement Home, 10 Chestnut St, Whitinsville, MA 01588, or to a veterans organization of your choice.
Lenny was a strong and kind man who loved his family deeply. He will be profoundly missed.