Staff
Richard A Meyer, Co-owner
Rich was raised on a farm in Platteville, Wisconsin, attended St. Mary's Elementary school and graduated from Platteville High School. Rich joined the U S Army in 1969, serving in Korea. He has earned degrees in business management, accounting and supervision. Rich retired as a United States Postmaster after 33 years of federal service. In retirement he relocated to Tucson Arizona, where he worked as a parking and transportation supervisor at the University of Arizona, Tucson. The purchase of Goodwin Funeral Home brought Rich to Manchester where he joined St. Joseph's Cathedral. He enjoys living in Manchester and looks forward to exploring New England.
Gary A Carolan, Co-owner/Director
Co-Owner, Licensed Funeral Director and embalmer in New Hampshire, Arizona, and Wisconsin. Gary was born and raised near Madison, Wisconsin where he worked in his parents hospitality businesses. He earned degrees in hospitality management and culinary arts prior to graduating from Worsham College of Mortuary Science, Chicago, Il., completing his embalming practicum at Cook County Hospital Morgue. Gary was in management working for 12 years at Cress Funeral and Cremation Service, the largest family owned and operated firm in Wisconsin, based in Madison. He has been a consultant for Graftobian Make-Up Company for many years, and is featured in the internationally distributed video produced specifically for the funeral service industry which displays the versatility and ease of cosmetizing difficult cases. Gary oversaw the Cress Infant Bereavement Program, and had organized and presented panel discussions and funeral service options to religious organizations, hospice groups, and hospital nurses as both a consumer advocate and the transitions from health care to death care for the benefit of the survivors. After seven years working in Arizona Gary moved to New Hampshire to escape the heat. In New Hampshire less than a year, he was asked to assist in teaching at Dartmouth as an ongoing presenter for students enrolled in courses related to death and dying. Gary is looking forward to making Manchester his lifelong home and continuing his commitment to funeral service education.
Charles S. Goodwin, Funeral Director
A fourth generation funeral director, Charlie has been associated with Goodwin Funeral Home since 1974 and was the owner from 1986 to 2005. A graduate of the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mortuary science, he is a member and past president of the New Hampshire Funeral Directors Association, a member of the National Funeral Directors Association and a former member of Selected Independent Funeral Homes, an organization whose members pledge to uphold the highest standards within the funeral profession. Charlie is a member of the Manchester Rotary Club and on the board of directors of the Hundred Club of New Hampshire, Inc., an organization whose mission is to support the spouse and children of police officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty. A resident of Manchester, he serves on the board of directors of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) and is an incorporator of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation and a trustee of the Manchester boys and Girls Club.
Deborah J Richards, Administrative Assistant
Debbie grew up in a military family living in multiple locations from Newfoundland to Florida. She earned her business education attending both the University of Maine and New Hampshire College (now Southern New Hampshire University). While Debbie and her husband Ron were raising their two children, Ronnie & Kelly, she obtained licensing and owned and operated her own pre-school. Her greatest pleasure are the additions to her family, Ronnie's wife, Amy and their two children, Jordan & Rebecca, whom she adores along with her sister, Christine. Taking trips to Florida to visit her mother, father, brother, Bob, & sister, Diane are relaxing, fun and a must in Debbie's life. She is proud to say that she has worked for the Goodwin Funeral Home for nearly 30 years and has continued her education in human resources and computer programs. Debbie's daily responsibilities include preparing all paperwork for funeral and memorial services, processing insurance claims, opening and managing trust accounts, aftercare programs, and training employees on computer programs. She has helped to lead bereavement classes at her church, Manchester Christian Church, which Debbie finds beneficial in growing in knowledge and empathy. Debbie views serving the families at Goodwin Funeral Home as an honor and if she's been able to help the families we serve even in some small way, she is grateful.
Sarah Miller, Apprentice Funeral Director
A lifelong resident of Manchester, Sarah graduated from Trinity High School and studied Fine Arts at Colby-Sawyer College, in New London. She has completed several Continuing Education courses and is currently a fulltime student at FINE Mortuary College in Norwood, MA. Sarah joined the Goodwin Funeral Home as a fulltime Apprentice Funeral Director/Embalmer in July of 2011, after deciding to pursue her dream and change her career of 16 years. Her previous experience and knowledge is in Human Resources, Office Management, Payroll Administration and Sales & Marketing. She also serves as a Notary Public and Ordained Minister, is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association and the 1st member of Funeral Diva’s Inc. in the state of New Hampshire. Sarah enjoys spending time with her husband John, son Johnny and sister Laura. She also enjoys visiting with her mother & family in Maine, participating in charitable events, riding her Harley, snowshoeing and long walks with Stubz, the family dog. Upon Sarah's graduation from Mortuary College and completion of national & state funeral board exams, she looks forward to assisting and supporting families during their time of need and her future with Goodwin Funeral Home.
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