Allisonian Firsts: Felix Orville Goodman

Felix Orville Goodman was born in Brooklyn, New York, on 28 August 1927. He was the son of Filipe Goodman and Violet Orellano (1907-1969), an American citizen originally from Barbados. He was educated in public schools near his home at 536 Hancock Street in Brooklyn and graduated from the Boy's High School there in June of 1946. After that he came to Sackville, New Brunswick, and initially studied business administration in the Commercial College. It is believed that he came to Mount Allison on the suggestion of his mother who was friends with the mother of students Martin and Danny Gray, who all attended the Bridge Street A.M.E. Church. Danny Gray was one of Mount Allison's first black students. 

While in attendance, Orville Goodman was involved with the Music Conservatory, was a member of the gymnastics team, and served as the Secretary-Treasurer of the Studio Club. In 1951, he earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, the first black student to earn this degree. Thereafter, he returned to the United States and worked as an art and music therapist and recreation director at the following institutions: Hudson River Psychiatric Center (Lagrangeville, New York), Wiltwood Home and Hillcrest Home (Mt. Kisco, New York), Harlem Valley Psychiatric Center (Dover, New York). He retired in 1993.

He was musically gifted and often performed in theatrical productions in the area around his home. For example, he worked with James Earl Jones in a production of 'Our Town' by Thornton Wilder. He was a member of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Pawling, New York. He was married twice. He married his second wife Clara Elsie Nordlow (1933-2010) in 1985. He was the stepfather of Eric Randolph and the father of David White. He died at his home in Wingdale, New York, on 12 December 2000.