Norman "Nookie" Goldman

WORCESTER – Norman “Nookie” Goldman, 89, passed away peacefully on the morning of January 22, 2026, in Worcester, MA. Born and raised in Worcester, Norman was the beloved son of Abraham and Eva (Canan) Goldman.

Norman graduated from Commerce High School, and then immediately went to work at his family’s clothing business, National Pants Manufacturing Company in Worcester, where he became owner and president until his retirement. During that time, he was honorably discharged after serving eight years in the Navy Reserves Following his retirement, Norman went to work for Niman Paper Company for 20 years, working well into his later years.

In 1956, Norman married the love of his life, his childhood sweetheart, Glory Kramer, and together they raised their family in Worcester. They moved to West Boylston in 2002, where they lived for 23 years and had returned to Worcester recently.

Norman was a lifetime member of Congregation Beth Israel in Worcester and a devoted member of Level Lodge of Masons in Shrewsbury, where he had been a member for over 50 years.

Norman had a true zest for life and considered everyone his friend. An avid tennis player, he was a member of the Holden Tower’s Tennis Club and won championship rounds in both Holden and Boynton Beach, Florida, where he and Glory shared a second home. He also enjoyed playing golf and was a long-time member of Holden Hills Country Club, as well as playing regularly in Boynton Beach during his retirement. In his spare time, Norman enjoyed working on jigsaw puzzles and was known to complete a 1,000-piece puzzle within a week. Even recently, he could be found using a jigsaw puzzle app on his phone.

Norman loved to travel, enjoying extensive trips with his family and friends, including travels throughout Europe and South America, as well as visits to most of the National Parks. He took boundless joy in fishing with his son, Charles, who took him everywhere from Canada to tarpon fishing in Florida and the Caribbean.

Norman was a truly passionate man and, to no surprise, an ardent New England sports fan. He rarely missed watching a Boston Celtics or Red Sox game. Social by nature, Norman cherished time spent with close friends and especially looked forward to gathering weekly with the guys of his “Thursday Lunch Bunch.”

First and foremost, Norman was a devoted family man who always made time for his wife, children, and grandchildren when it mattered most. Whether it was holidays, family trips, games, or school activities, no matter what the occasion, Norman was always there. His greatest joy was sharing photos and stories about his four “beautiful great granddaughters.”

He will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by his wife of 69 years, Glory (Kramer) Goldman; his three children, Charles Goldman and his wife, Julie, of Palm Beach, FL, Debra Helfgott and her husband, Alan, of Boylston, MA, and Amy Vermillion and her husband, Jerry, of Fairfax, VA; four grandchildren, Matthew Vermillion and his wife, Amanda, Emily Ricco and her husband, Edward, Anna Thomas and her husband, Parker, and Elena Potthoff and her husband, Rohan; four great-grandchildren, Zoe Ricco, Lilah and Piper Thomas, and Stella Vermillion; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Besides his parents, Norman was predeceased by his two brothers, Saul and Robert Goldman.

Norman’s family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to the caregivers whose unwavering kindness and dedicated care meant so much to him, including the staff at Fresenius Kidney Care in Oxford, the Jewish Healthcare Center, and Eisenberg Assisted Living in Worcester.

A Funeral Service honoring Norman’s life will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 27, at Congregation Beth Israel, 15 Jamesbury Drive, Worcester, followed by interment at B’nai Brith Cemetery in Worcester.

The funeral service from BI will be accessible via zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84544883107?pwd=rLUOtcYJnvF0Oy8HtQl1TUhZjIpcHu.1).(Meeting ID: 845 4488 3107, Passcode: 730344)

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Norman’s memory to the “Operating Fund”, or the Beth Israel Endowment “Abraham and Eva Goldman Fund” at Congregation Beth Israel, 15 Jamesbury Drive, Worcester, MA 01609.