Memorial service
First Church of Christ in Saybrook
11:00 AM Friday, April 24, 2026
366 Main St., Old Saybrook, CT
Get directionsCelebration of life
Old Saybrook, songs at the piano, golf stories, Christmas cheer, and a home built with love.
Todd William Goodhue
1963-2026
Funny, thoughtful, deeply loving, and impossible to forget - Todd filled life with stories, music, wit, and wholehearted devotion to the people he loved.
- Devoted husband, father, and friend
- Golfer, teacher, builder, and storyteller
- Showtune singer, movie quoter, Christmas enthusiast
- Someone who made people laugh and feel seen
Celebration of life
Memorial service details
Family and friends are warmly invited to gather for Todd's memorial service and to honor his life with love, remembrance, and gratitude.
Warmth
Love at the center
Todd built a life shaped by devotion - to Caren, to his daughters, to home, and to the everyday joys that made family life rich.
Humor
A twinkle in the eye
His humor could be witty, goofy, sarcastic, corny, or unexpectedly tender, and it brought laughter into countless ordinary moments.
Presence
He made people feel seen
Whether he was teaching golf, listening closely, singing at home, or sharing stories, Todd had a rare gift for making people feel known.
Life and legacy
A life full of love, laughter, and stories
Todd William Goodhue, 62, passed away unexpectedly on April 12, 2026, in the home that he built. What remains is a legacy of laughter, generosity, devotion, intelligence, and the unmistakable feeling of having been truly seen by him.
A love story and a home full of warmth
Todd was born on August 8, 1963, to the late Roland (Bill) and Audrey Goodhue (Hale). He was the devoted husband of Caren Goodhue (Tarasevich) for 40 years, and the two spent 46 years together after first becoming high school sweethearts. Their life together was full of support, generosity, humor, and deep affection for family, friends, and the animals they loved.
They were longtime residents of Old Saybrook, Connecticut. After a decade in Florida, they eventually returned to live in the beautiful home Todd designed and built from the ground up. He was a phenomenal and loving father to Caitlyn Goodhue of New York, New York, and Bethany Goodhue Wabno of Milford, Connecticut, and he was proud to call Bethany's husband, Dan Wabno, his "new son." Todd is also survived by his brothers Scott and Ross, his sister Pamela, many nieces and nephews, cousins, and countless friends across Connecticut and Florida.
Service, sacrifice, and fatherhood
After earning a bachelor's degree in psychology from Southern Connecticut State University, Todd entered the Air Force and lived with Caren as newlyweds near Vance Air Force Base in Enid, Oklahoma before being honorably discharged.
When Caitlyn and Bethany were young, Todd worked three jobs so Caren could stay home with them. He spent his days, nights, and on-call hours as an assistant golf professional, a behavioral tech at a psych hospital, and a condominium manager and handyman - and still made it home with enough time to read his daughters to sleep with fantasy stories and tales of adventure.
The language of golf
Todd eventually fulfilled a childhood dream and became a successful PGA Golf Professional. He worked at Lochmoor Country Club and Del Tura Golf & Country Club in Florida before settling into his long role as Head Pro at Shennecossett Golf Course in Groton, Connecticut for almost three decades.
At Shennecossett - lovingly called "Shenny" - Todd was always ready to help someone refine a swing, talk through the finer points of the game, or proudly share the latest news about "his girls" with whoever was nearby. He self-published a book, The Golf Swing: Form and Function, and even stocked his own Pro Shop while working there. The warmth of his presence is still deeply felt.
Humor, music, and a generous heart
Todd was a true Renaissance man: quick-witted, reflective, compassionate, and endlessly curious. He could entertain a crowd with a perfect joke, or move someone to tears with a thoughtful comment. He taught himself German to better connect with a community of golfing German snowbirds in the Fort Myers area, built a sometimes-seaworthy wooden boat, and loved talking about religious philosophy and Tolkien allegory.
Above all, Todd loved being home with family and pets. He loved belting showtunes and harmonizing with his daughters, making corny jokes for Caren to roll her eyes at, singing and playing the piano, and quoting classic musicals and 80s movies by heart. Some of his favorite places to be were Disney World, the White Mountains near North Conway, New Hampshire, and the home he built and loved so dearly.
His joys and passions
The things he loved, taught, built, sang, and shared
Todd's life was expansive, thoughtful, funny, and deeply human. These themes run through the memories people carry of him.
Family first
Todd loved fiercely. Husband, father, "new son" enthusiast, animal lover, and steady center of home - family was always the heart of his life.
Golf and teaching
He spoke the language of golf fluently, taught with patience, and made generations of players feel welcome at Shennecossett and beyond.
Music and musicals
Todd had a lovely singing voice and a deep love of showtunes, piano, harmonies, and the kind of lyrics that beg to be sung full-heartedly.
Humor and storytelling
He could make a room laugh, tell a story that grew better every time, or turn a reflective thought into something unforgettable.
Builder and maker
From the home he built to the boat he crafted, Todd loved making things with his hands and imagination.
Books, movies, and wonder
Tolkien, classic musicals, 80s movies, Disney, Christmas, and the White Mountains were all part of the world that delighted him.
Written legacy
The Golf Swing: Form and Function
Todd did not only teach golf on the course. He also carried that knowledge into print, authoring and self-publishing a book that reflects his lifelong love of the game, the craft of teaching, and the pleasure of helping others understand it more deeply.
It stands as one more expression of the thoughtful, generous way he shared what he knew: with clarity, care, and genuine enthusiasm.
View the book on AmazonDonations
In lieu of flowers
Donations may be made to the Connecticut Humane Society, a fitting tribute to Todd's love for animals. It was also where Todd and Caren adopted Annie on their wedding "Annie"-versary on August 17th.
Closing tribute
He remains in the stories
The funny anecdotes, poignant stories, songs, movie lines, golf lessons, and small acts of tenderness are too many to count. They continue in the people who loved him and in the memories that still make everyone smile.
As Rafiki says in The Lion King, "He lives in you."
Photo gallery
A family photo album, gathered at the end
For visitors who want to linger a little longer, the photographs are gathered here as a final album of bright memories, everyday tenderness, and the life Todd shared with the people he loved.
Select any thumbnail to open a larger framed view. The album begins with a smaller gathering of images and can expand when visitors want to spend more time with the photographs.
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