Dear Editor,
Please permit me space in your newspaper for the publication of this tribute to the recently deceased Reverend Fr. Derek H. Goodrich, M.A. (University of Canter-bury), A.A.
Derek H. Goodrich, 1927 to 2021. A lifespan of 94 years, with a remarkable and outstanding career as a parish priest, who in his own words ‘had collected numerous other jobs.’ Those jobs included Canon of St. George’s Cathedral, Examining Chaplin, Rural Dean, Dean of George-town and Vicar-General. Nestled within those ninety-four years is the ten-year period of 1957 to 1967; the period when Rev. Fr. Goodrich served as the first resident Vicar of St. Sidwell’s Church, in Lodge, Georgetown. It is that period of Fr. Goodrich’s life, and the fond memories I have of him that I would like to recall as a farewell tribute to this man who described himself as ‘basically a parish priest.’
I met Fr. Goodrich, as he was fondly called by most parishioners, in my formative teenage years. As a young member of the congregation, a few of my friends were servers or altar boys; that fueled my desire to be a server. Victor Jones, Ulric Lyte, Cargill Alleyne, and Lennox Wharton were outstanding and admired examples. As altar boys we were trained to participate in a ritual that required precision, order, and punctuality. As we prepared to move to the altar, we would look at Fr. Goodrich, his eyes on his watch and not a second before, but on the dot he would signal for us to emerge to the strains of the processional hymn. From that training I developed a life-long adherence to punctuality.
As a young man I found Fr. Goodrich to be not only a priest who delivered holy sermons to his congregation, but someone who was caring, a confidant, a counsellor, a good administrator, sports enthusiast/ organizer, and teacher. For example, the continued absence of a church member was noticed and dutifully addressed. Oft times I witnessed Fr. Goodrich on his bicycle visiting parishioners in the Lodge area to ascertain the reason for their absence. Fr. Goodrich was always approachable. He was a good listener. You could share with him any personal problem. He always listened, never judged or criticized. Instead he sought to resolve any ensuing conflict, particularly marital conflict, with a favourable resolution.
Fr. Goodrich was a sports enthusiast. He encouraged us as young boys in the church to become involved in sports such as cricket, table tennis, and football. I was fortunate enough to become a member of the St. Sidwell’s Rovers Club: a team of football players comprising choir boys and altar boys. Open space of the then ‘race course’ was used for football practice and competition. Some of the original members of that club, namely Barley Jones and Bayard Boyce went on to become national players. Fr. Goodrich himself was a good table tennis player: left handed and difficult to beat. He love cricket and was a member of Georgetown Cricket Club. He never missed a test match
Fr. Goodrich was a good administrator. While Vicar at St.Sidwell’s, he oversaw the rebuilding of the church which was destroyed by fire in July 1957, just one month after his appointment. The new church building was completed in August 1959. Simultaneously, he oversaw the relocation of the Holy Redeemer Anglican Church from a site along the Demerara River to its present site in West Ruimveldt. Such accomplishments entailed his working with many collaborators, including church members, contractors, etc. and most importantly raising funds for the completion of these tasks. This was all done while Fr. Goodrich ministered to two ‘homeless’ congregations. As noted in his Memories of St. Sidwell’s Parish, 1957-1967 ‘…having been appointed in charge of two Church buildings, we now have none.’
His was a major role in the establishment of the Church of the Transfiguration in North East La Penitence and later St. Aloysius Chapel, in Penny Lane, South Ruimveldt. My observation of Fr. Goodrich’s administrative abilities is supported by his own account of one occasion when he together with four church members visited all 750 homes in East Ruimveldt to gather information about the religious affiliation of the occupants of those residences. Truly outstanding!! I also remember Fr. Goodrich as a teacher. He found time in his busy schedule of ministering to his communicants to address the academic needs of school-aged church members, particularly those attending secondary schools. He would have them meet in the vestry where he would help them to understand some of the more difficult aspects of their school assignments.
My contact with Fr. Goodrich was not severed by his departure from St. Sidwell’s Church in 1967. I would occasionally update him with happenings in my life. This occasional contact continued even after his return to the United Kingdom. In fact, as recently as August 2021, I received word from him through an intermediary. I was truly saddened by the news of his passing. On the opening pages of the publication The Words and Works of Alan John Knight, the author is described as ‘…basically a parish priest… he has been a Guyanese citizen for over thirty years and received a National Award, the Golden Arrow of Achievement for long, dedicated and outstanding service in the field of religion.’ The author was Derek Goodrich. I am in total agreement with that description of the priest that I knew as Fr. Goodrich.
I complete this tribute with the words of someone whom I admired, respected and loved from my teenage years to adulthood, Fr. Goodrich’s own words of sentiment: “My ten years at St. Sidwell’s represented the most exciting years of my ministry…I have happy memories of all those, young and old, who supported me by their prayers, friendship, and co-operation… may the present congregation value their heritage and continue to work for the extension of the Kingdom of God.” May we all at this time find comfort and be inspired by his words and his works. Farewell dear parish priest, friend, teacher. Rest in peace.
Sincerely,
Keith Scott
