Stanley Goldberg

Stan Goldberg, a local businessman and developer who impacted members of the Ithaca community for more than 60 years, passed away on Saturday, June 13 after an extended illness. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on January 24, 1934 to William and Edith Goldberg, Stan spent his early childhood in Petersburg, Va. and his high school days in Waterbury, Conn. After attending the University of Connecticut as a freshman, Stan moved to Ithaca in 1952 to join his parents, who had just purchased a small business in Ithaca called Bishops Paint & Wallpaper-a store that had opened up in 1924-and he transferred to Cornell that year. It didn't take long for Stan to realize that Ithaca was his home-a place where he could thrive. He helped his parents with Bishops while attending Cornell as a full-time student and double-enrolled in what is now known as the Johnson School of Graduate Management as a senior.

During his senior year, at a course for folk literature at Cornell nicknamed by many as "Singing, Stopping, and Dancing," Stan met a sophomore from Cleveland, Nancy Krauthamer, whom he started dating soon thereafter. They were married on June 30, 1957. Stan served in the U.S. Army for six months and later was a member of the Reserves for several years. He returned to Ithaca in the beginning of 1957 to join his parents full-time in operating Bishops. Stan's father passed away in August of that year, leaving him to operate the store at just 23 years old. He embraced that opportunity to build a business that was one of Ithaca's great, local home improvement stores- where you could find most items to fix or improve your home and gain the advice from staff on how to best get the job done. Stan guided the store to success and it fueled his passion to expand. He opened a second store in the Northeast area as part of his development of the Small Mall on Cinema Drive. And then a third store and corresponding mall in Johnson City outside of Binghamton

Stan was one who was driven to take advantage of all possibilities and opportunities that came along his way. He had unique vision, one of many special attributes. His commercial developments are landmarks throughout the primary areas in Ithaca: the Small Mall and Chateau Claire apartments in the Northeast; Eastern Heights on Snyder Hill Road, apartments in Collegetown, and College Circle Apartments next to Ithaca Collegtown, on the commons with the creation of Center Ithaca, and on the West End by nearly tripling the Bishops store in terms of size. On top of all this, he was part-owner of the Eagle Broadcasting, which operated a group of local radio stations. But above all of his success in business, his greatest pride was his family. He took great pride of all the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren, encouraging them to strive for their best. And he had a special trait for understanding the responsibilities of caring for the generation before him, by helping his mom, Edith, and his in-laws through their retirement.

In 2003, Stan sold Bishops, splitting the operations into segments in order to sell it to his two key employees. He continued to operate his real estate properties. And between 1985 and 2001, Stan and Nancy enjoyed spending time during the winter in Marco Island.

Stan is survived by his wife of 58 years, Nancy, and his four children: Bill and wife Nancy of Winnetka, Ill. (children Daniel, Matt and Ben); Mark and wife Sheryl of Ithaca (children Aaron, Peri and Drew); Wendy and husband Mark (children Emily, Sam and Allie); and Gary and wife Amy (children Eliza and Andrew).

Special thanks to doctors Costello, Gaffney, Husseni and Mauser for their vigilant care during Stan's illness, and gratitude to his devoted care-givers and Hospicare.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 18, 2015 at 2 p.m. at Temple Beth-El, followed by a reception at the Country Club of Ithaca. There will be a private burial for family members only. Charitable contributions may be made to Temple Beth-El in his honor. Bangs Funeral Home is assisting the family.