Donald R. Goodness

OSWEGO – Donald R. Goodness, 75, of Oswego, died on December 2, 2024.

Born in Oswego, he was the son of the late William and June (Shortsleeve) Goodness.

Don graduated from Oswego High School in 1966 and SUNY Oswego in 1970. He served in the  US Army from 1970-73 as a member of the 1st Army Band at Fort Meade, Maryland.  Don earned his Masters in Music Performance at the Catholic University of America.

After the service, Don went on to teach throughout NYS at all levels of Music Education.  In 2006, he got his dream job as Supervisor of Student Teachers for the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam.

Don was a well-known and active musician. He served as President of the Musicians Union of Oswego County, was the director of the Oswego City Concert Band, and was an International Representative for the American Federation of Musicians.  He also served as an All State Adjudicator for NYSSMA for bands and trumpet. Don was proud to have started the local New Horizons Band and was a choir director at many churches throughout the area. He even played with his dad on stages all over CNY with the Nick Sterio Band. Don will be remembered for his many years as both a member and then director of the Oswego City Concert Band at Breitbeck Park.  This was a position he held for many years, entertaining generations of Oswegonians with a varied program each week of Marches, Showtunes, Classical, and Big Band selections.  He had a talent and passion for music and enjoyed bringing in soloists each year as a special treat. Another musical endeavor Don truly enjoyed was the opportunity to recreate the USO Canteens of WWII with the RSVP program, creating the authentic 17 piece swing band, “The Do Good Swingband” performing at the Oswego Elks Lodge for several years.

Don is survived by his former spouse Linda Goodness and stepchildren Elizabeth Manion and Patrick Manion, his cousins Edward & Patricia Goodness of Oswego, as well as many other cousins, relatives, bandmates, and friends.

Graveside Services and Military Honors will be held in Chase Cemetery in the Spring.