Charles passed away on Wednesday, July 25, 2018 at the age of 92 in Nashua NH. The eldest son of the late Charles and Mildred (Wark) Goyette, he was born and raised in Barre VT. His brother, Roderick died in 2012 and his sister, Margaret died in 2000.
Charles graduated from Spaulding High School in 1943. As World War II was in process, the government planned ahead and selected male graduates to train as doctors, aviators. etc. instead of going directly into military service for fighting. He was selected to serve in the Navy’s V-12 Program and after two years started Medical School. He spent one year at Middlebury College and a second year at Bates College before entering Medical School at the University of Vermont. The war terminated after his first year at UVM. On August 26, 1946 he married Meri Zanleoni. After graduating from Medical School he interned for one year at the Mary Fletcher Hospital in Burlington VT. Then Charles embarked on a three year residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology one year each at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Bridgeport CT, Lawrence and Memorial Hospital Assoc. in New London CT and New Britain General Hospital in New Britain CT. As a V-12 participant he was obliged to serve two years in the military which he carried out at the U.S.Army Hospital at Fort Devens MA.as Captain in Charge officer of the OB-GYN service department.
His father was a physician and one of his father’s brothers was a Colonel and cardiologist for General Eisenhower. On his mother’s side one of her brothers was a physician and another brother was a dentist, as was his brother Roderick. His father was helpful in Charles and Meri settling in Nashua, only a half hour drive from Fort Devens, by questioning “detail men” (medical salespeople) as to a suitable location for Charles to establish his medical practice.
Charles practiced Obstetrics and Gynecology in Nashua for 40 years to the day, having opened his practice as a solo doctor July 1, 1955 and becoming the only American Board Certified OB-GYN specialist in Nashua. He retired on June 30, 1995. Along the way other physicians joined him in his practice including Normand R. Cote and Joseph A. Duval forming the Goyette – Cote – Duval Professional Association referred to as “The Holy Trinity”. Other physicians also joined him later after the Trinity.
Charles had his medical practice and Meri devoted herself to introducing new artists in Boston before she became immersed in beautifying downtown Nashua. Charles was a loving husband and father who enjoyed his family while not at work. Meri probably thought he was married to his practice! The only organizations he joined were various medical societies. Charles enjoyed his career as a physician, having delivered over 10,000 babies (about 30 tons) and also enjoyed his subsequent 23 years of retirement.
Charles had known Mary (aka Meri) Zanleoni since their early childhood but it wasn’t until their senior year in high school that they became romantically interested in each other. He cherished a photograph of the two when they were six or seven years old, showing Charles holding a fish and Meri steadying a small sailboat. On August 26, 1946, they wed in Barre VT. This union resulted in six wonderful children, one of whom was lost to murder in 1991.
In addition to his wife Meri of 71 wonderful years, he leaves five children and their spouses: Charles and Shirley Goyette; J. and Judi Goyette; Meri and Don Reid; Carole and David Murphy, Robert (deceased) and Ellen Goyette; Robin and David Whitman, as well as twelve grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. He also leaves behind his loving caregiver who brought him much joy in his final years.
Charles requests no calling hours. His Funeral Mass will be held at the Immaculate Conception Church on 216 East Dunstable Road in Nashua, on Wednesday, August 1 at 10:30 am. Charles will be buried beside his parents, brother, sister, and son Robert at the Hope Cemetery in Barre VT. In lieu of flowers, please consider doing an act of kindness for someone, in Doc’s honor or donations can be sent to the Nashua International Sculpture Symposium, care of City Arts Nashua, P.O. Box 1603, Nashua, NH 03061.
Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE, 18 Lock Street, Nashua. (603) 882-0591 www.farwellfuneralservice.com
