John T Bennett Funeral Home

He had a wonderful connection to the community,” said Board of Education member Robert Kosienski Jr. who first met Gooding when Kosienski was just 5 years old. “He was loved and admired as an administrator and coach to thousands of kids at Platt.”Goodng died at Coccomo Memorial Healthcare Center at 89. He was born in Panama on Nov. 20, 1929, the son of the late Phillip and Zilla Gooding.   He taught science at Platt High School from 1958 to 1973 and became principal of the former Jefferson Middle School in Meriden in 1976. Gooding retired from the position in 1992. While teaching, he also coached the cross-country team.After Gooding retired, he served on the Board of Education from 1993 to 2005, where he served alongside friends such as Kosienski, and former Lincoln Middle School principal John Lineen, who died in March. The day before Lineen died, Gooding visited his friend at the hospital and they spent hours together, Kosienski said. “It’s another huge loss to the Meriden Public School system,” said Superintendent Mark Benigni. “Roy worked with so many students and staff throughout the years both as staff and as a board member. I’m glad I got the chance to get to know him. He truly cared deeply about our city and our kids’ future.”High expectationsAfter retiring and while still serving on the board, Gooding remained active in the community, serving on executive boards for the Meriden YMCA and the Boys & Girls Club. He received the NAACP Community Service Award in 1993 and was elected to the Platt High School Hall of Fame in 1999. He was also instrumental in getting the Bernie Jurale Tradition Run and Meriden Ten-Mile Road Race started. ”We lost a dear friend, biology teacher and lifelong mentor in all aspects of life,” said Scott Hayes, former student and runner in an e-mail. “His college prep classes were professorial, but not as hard as his distance workouts or speed workouts on the track.”“Expectations were high in the classroom, and the bar was set high for any runner who experienced ...

The National Weather Service reported that tornado was on the ground in Charles City for about 15 minutes. It damaged almost a dozen buildings on the county fairgrounds.Several homes were hit too. One was a total loss."You just have friends that you can talk to and laugh about it," says resident Lorraine Hoeft. "I have two great sons, and when they came in I cried about it a little, and then they were like, 'Okay Mom, it's over. Let's get this done'...I joke about it, but when I get on the other side of the evergreens, it's kind of hard; I just kind of melt."No injuries or deaths have been reported yet.The tornado was one of three confirmed twisters to hit the area on Memorial Day.Forecasters have confirmed at least three severe-strength tornadoes touched down in Ohio.The National Weather Service says a tornado classified as an EF3 hit Trotwood just west of Dayton, with another touchdown just east of Dayton in Greene County. Forecaster Myron Padgett says it's possible the same tornado went back up and touched down a second time. Both had winds of 140 mph (225.3 kph).A third EF3 tornado hit Celina, but its speed is still being surveyed.An EF3 is considered a strong tornado that does severe damage, rated on a scale of EF0 through EF5.A slew of smaller tornadoes hit other areas in Ohio including two in Pickaway County.One person was killed and at least 60 people were injured by storms that swept through western Ohio.Officials say at least 75 homes were damaged when a twister touched down Monday evening in Pendleton, Indiana, about 35 miles (56 kilometers) from Indianapolis.Madison County Emergency Management spokesman Todd Harmeson says there were no serious injuries reported from the tornadoes there and in nearby Huntsville.The weather service also found damage northeast of Huntsville that was caused by an EF2 tornado, a significant twister that packs wind speeds of 111-135 mph (179-217 kph).Pendleton residents were urged to stay in their homes Tuesday because of the danger posed by downed trees, wires and utility poles.Diane Maydak lives near Pendleton's Fall...