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John
Goggans
(Ralph J. Goggans)
December 6, 1947 - July 1990 |
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Memories of John Goggans |
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by Graham Pugh |
I first met John in the motorcycle parking lot at
Stranahan High School. We both rode bikes to school and
would see each other as we went about our daily routine.
We soon became friends. After school and on weekends
John would join us as we cruised the beaches on our
bikes, always straggling behind on his little 50 cc Tohatsu motorcycle.
John had health issues that affected his speech and
motor skills and we would kid him about it. He always
took it well because he knew we really cared about him. Toward
the end of his senior year, his condition had
deteriorated to the point that he had to stop riding his
bike.
The last time I saw John was in July, 1966. My friend
Max Fratoddi and I had both joined the service and we
went by to see him before our departure. We had a
good visit and talked of old times. I remember his mom
being there and how pleased she was that we had stopped
by. Poor John could hardly get around any more
and I gathered that he didn't get a lot of visitors. I remember
shaking his hand and looking him in the eye as we said
goodbye. Somehow I knew it would be the last time I
would see him.
Of all the people I have known in this life,
John left an impression like no other. I will always remember
this fragile young man who was strong in so many ways.
I think of him often.
Submitted by Graham Pugh
1/02/06 |
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Memories of John Goggans
by Max Fratoddi
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Johnny Goggans and I
were good friends (and neighbors for a short period)
throughout elementary school (Croissant Park), junior high
school (Rogers), and high school (SHS). As I moved to
Memphis for my senior year, I didn't see John during that
year ('64/'65). Over the years, between the Marine Corps,
college, and moving to Washington, DC for the federal
government, I didn't get to see him with any regularity, but
made an effort to visit him whenever I was in Ft. Lauderdale
(my parents remained there).
To this day, I don't
know if John's physical ailment was ever correctly diagnosed
nor treated. As some of you might remember, long before SHS
graduation, it was clear he suffered from some type of
disease which increasingly affected both his speech and
physical movements. Somehow he made it through SHS, and many
of us remain thankful he never had a (serious) crash on his
small Daihatsu motorcycle.
While John's family
was very disappointed that medical science never seemed to
figure out what John's problem was, I can proudly say that
in spite of all the merciless ribbing he took about his
(lack of) coordination, funny speech, etc, I don't recall
ever hearing John complain about either his condition, the
lack of an effective medical remedy, or all the kidding he
took. Sadly, after graduating from SHS, his functionality
became more tenuous, and over time, he was increasing house
bound (1904 S.E. 1st Street, just off Broward Blvd), and
never entered the job market, dated, or had what most would
consider a normal post-high school life.
Rest in peace John;
the light-hearted but courageous manner in which you handled
this very debilitating and ultimately fatal disease was
characterized by its dignity and good nature. |
If you would like to add
your memories of John, please contact the webmaster:
graham@stranahan65.com
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