John Goggans
(Ralph J. Goggans)
December 6, 1947  -  July 1990


 

Memories of John Goggans

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

 

Memories of John Goggans
by Max Fratoddi

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