1925
Ernest
2012
Ernest J. Goer
March 24, 1925 — June 10, 2012
The Goer family regrets to announce the passing of Ernest J. Goer (Yoseph bin Avram), age 87, of Boca Raton, FL. Mr. Goer was born Julius Ernest Goldberger in an apartment at 79th Street & 2nd Avenue in New York City, NY to Albert Goldberger (12/8/1894-9/25/1952) and Irene Goldberger (nee Goldstein, 9/20/1898-8/3/1978). Mr. Goer grew up in the Hunt's Point section of the Bronx, attending P.S. 65, then Brooklyn Technical High School before moving to Florence, SC with his family in 1940 and Charleston, SC in 1941, ultimately graduating from Charleston High School.
After high school, Mr. Goer joined the Army Air Corps, serving as a bombardier/navigator in the 385th Bombardment Group, 8th Air Force out of Ipswitch, England from 1943-45.
Returning from war, Mr. Goer entered business with his father in a small custom woodworking shop in North Charleston, SC Goer Woodcraft Manufacturing Co., after his father died in 1952, Mr. Goer continued the business with his mother, buying her out of the business in approximately 1955. Around the same time his cousin and brother–in-law, Stephen Diamond and Irvin Schreiber joined the company. In 1970 Mr. Goer's 2nd cousin, Gary Diamond joined his father Stephen at Goer West in Los Angeles, CA. Ultimately, Mr. Goer built the business to be one of the largest manufacturers of custom store fixtures in the nation, employing over 600 people in three plants nationwide. Just prior to Mr. Goer's 40th birthday, he sold a majority interest in his company to a Chicago-based manufacturing conglomerate, Reflector Hardware. Mr. Goer continued to run the business with his sons, Alan and Randy Goer until the still-profitable business was sold as part of Reflector's 2003 reorganization.
Ernie's favorite past times were joy riding in fancy convertibles, playing cards with his friends, and he always enjoyed fine dining.
Mr. Goer was a very active philanthropist, supporting many Charleston-area organizations and philanthropies as well as the College of Charleston and the Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina.
Mr. Goer is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mimi Goer, his four children: Stacey Goer of Boca Raton, Alan Goer of Providence, RI, Randy Goer (Liz) of Charleston, SC, and Elissa Ross (Jeff) of Santa Barbara, CA; 9 grandchildren: Jonathan Goldstein, Jeremy Goldstein, Jossie Goer, Kenzie Goer, Nicole Goer, Haydon Goer, Ryan Goer, Max Ross and Hannah Ross; and 5 great grandchildren. He is predeceased by two sisters: Virginia G. Szego and Jeanette G. Schreiber.
Graveside services will be held Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. in Emanu-El Cemetery, (Maryville).
The family will be sitting shiva at the residence of Randy and Liz Goer, 2230 Portside Way, Charleston, SC 29407 Tuesday and Wednesday from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Donations honoring Mr. Goers's life may be made to Brith Sholom Beth Israel Synagogue, 182 Rutledge Avenue, Charleston, SC 29403, Syagogue Emanu-El, 5 Windsor Drive, Charleston, SC 29407 and /or Hospice of Charleston, 676 Wando Park Blvd., Mount Pleasant, SC 29464.
Arrangements by J. HENRY STUHR, INC., DOWNTOWN CHAPEL.
After high school, Mr. Goer joined the Army Air Corps, serving as a bombardier/navigator in the 385th Bombardment Group, 8th Air Force out of Ipswitch, England from 1943-45.
Returning from war, Mr. Goer entered business with his father in a small custom woodworking shop in North Charleston, SC Goer Woodcraft Manufacturing Co., after his father died in 1952, Mr. Goer continued the business with his mother, buying her out of the business in approximately 1955. Around the same time his cousin and brother–in-law, Stephen Diamond and Irvin Schreiber joined the company. In 1970 Mr. Goer's 2nd cousin, Gary Diamond joined his father Stephen at Goer West in Los Angeles, CA. Ultimately, Mr. Goer built the business to be one of the largest manufacturers of custom store fixtures in the nation, employing over 600 people in three plants nationwide. Just prior to Mr. Goer's 40th birthday, he sold a majority interest in his company to a Chicago-based manufacturing conglomerate, Reflector Hardware. Mr. Goer continued to run the business with his sons, Alan and Randy Goer until the still-profitable business was sold as part of Reflector's 2003 reorganization.
Ernie's favorite past times were joy riding in fancy convertibles, playing cards with his friends, and he always enjoyed fine dining.
Mr. Goer was a very active philanthropist, supporting many Charleston-area organizations and philanthropies as well as the College of Charleston and the Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina.
Mr. Goer is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mimi Goer, his four children: Stacey Goer of Boca Raton, Alan Goer of Providence, RI, Randy Goer (Liz) of Charleston, SC, and Elissa Ross (Jeff) of Santa Barbara, CA; 9 grandchildren: Jonathan Goldstein, Jeremy Goldstein, Jossie Goer, Kenzie Goer, Nicole Goer, Haydon Goer, Ryan Goer, Max Ross and Hannah Ross; and 5 great grandchildren. He is predeceased by two sisters: Virginia G. Szego and Jeanette G. Schreiber.
Graveside services will be held Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. in Emanu-El Cemetery, (Maryville).
The family will be sitting shiva at the residence of Randy and Liz Goer, 2230 Portside Way, Charleston, SC 29407 Tuesday and Wednesday from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Donations honoring Mr. Goers's life may be made to Brith Sholom Beth Israel Synagogue, 182 Rutledge Avenue, Charleston, SC 29403, Syagogue Emanu-El, 5 Windsor Drive, Charleston, SC 29407 and /or Hospice of Charleston, 676 Wando Park Blvd., Mount Pleasant, SC 29464.
Arrangements by J. HENRY STUHR, INC., DOWNTOWN CHAPEL.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ernest J. Goer, please visit our flower store.
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Graveside Service
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Starts at 10:00 am
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