Michael W. Goodridge

Michael W. Goodridge, 75, of Tallmadge, died at home on June 17, 2024 after a year-long battle with cancer. He was born in Barberton on May 12, 1949 to the late Raymond H. and Helen V. (Buren) Goodridge. More times than not throughout his life, he was able to celebrate his birthday on Mother's Day, which pleased him. Michael graduated from Cuyahoga Falls High School in 1967 where he lettered in both Track and Cross Country. He was going to pursue a career in broadcasting after first attending Kent State and then graduating from Career Academy in Columbus before 'Uncle Sam' invited him to enlist for military service in the Army, which he did on March 20, 1969. Michael was honorably discharged on January 17, 1972 from the STRATCOM command in West Germany as an E-5/Staff Sergeant in charge of the communications center there. He received both the National Defense Service and Good Conduct medals upon leaving active duty and transferring to the Army Reserve for another three years. After his military service, Michael worked in sales at both New York Life and Prudential Insurance before moving to the West coast. In California, he honed his managerial skills as a residence manager of an apartment complex in Santa Ana before getting bitten by the entrepreneurial bug and started a carpet cleaning business in Cypress. Upon moving home, he went back into management; first at Home Centers and then at what would become Michael's AM. He would eventually purchase the business and operate it as one of the Valley's most successful breakfast and lunch establishments for 23 years.

 Michael was a life-long Browns and Indians fan, loved to bowl and was a golf fanatic! That's why it's so fitting that he shot a 44 and 45 respectively the last two games that he got to play before becoming too ill - and that pleased him as well! Michael travelled over the years with various groups of friends who made annual treks to locales like Marietta, OH and Myrtle Beach. Those were trips he looked forward to every year as much as he did his weekly golf outings. Speaking of real loves that matter, Michael leaves behind his wife, Nan (Dishmon), her son Nate Kennedy and his significant other (Rachel), Nan's daughter Allysa (Chris) Sage and her grandson (Isaac), all of New Franklin; sisters Patricia Queer (Richard), Tallmadge; Barbara Dunlevy, Akron; and Janice Korsgaard (Peter), Masury; and his brother, Jeff, also of Masury. Cousins Dave (Heather) Hill, Silver Lake and Bob (Donna) Hill, Uniontown along with numerous other cousins, nieces and nephews will all miss Michael as well. A Celebration of Life will be held at the family home on Sunday, August 25th from 1-5. Thanks also to the staff of Clifford-Shoemaker Funeral Home of Cuyahoga Falls for their services.