Robert Goodstein

Robert Goodstein, 81, of Monroe Township died June 3, 2015. Born in Staten Island, he was raised in Elizabeth. 

Mr. Goodstein spent part of his career in the Rahway school system, where he was the director of Family Life Education, developing programs for the school system. He then spent the majority of his career in the South Brunswick school system, serving for some years as a counselor for Project Promise, as alternative education high school. He was honored by the State of New Jersey with the Governor’s Award for Excellence in educational programs and teaching. 

He graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Elizabeth. He enrolled in Panzer College in East Orange to major in physical education and health. In his sophomore year, Panzer merged with Montclair State University, from which he graduated in 1961. He received his master’s degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University, Teaneck, in Administration and Guidance. 

He served for two years in the Army and was stationed in Germany.

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An athlete excelling in baseball, basketball, and soccer, he was tapped by the Yankee farm team to try out at Rupert Stadium, but sent home when the team learned he was not yet out of high school. In college he was nominated to All-Star for his performance in soccer.

He is survived by his wife, Rosanne (Sussman), whom he married in 1960; his daughter, Susan Goodstein Zaccaro (Mark Mochan) and Daniel (Stacey Cicero); a sister, Elaine Gillespie of Maryland; a brother, Fred of Monroe Township; and four grandchildren. 

Services were held June 8 with arrangements by Mount Sinai Memorial Chapels, East Brunswick. Memorial contributions may be made to curepsp.org.