Kay Tormey left a copy of ‘Partners’ – the annual publication of Good Samaritan Hospital  Foundation – at  the door.  It’s a handsome rotogravure piece – and on the cover – in color – is a terrific picture of one of Dayton’s most beloved and influential gentlemen – Father Joseph Goetz.  ‘Reminiscing with Father Goetz’ is the lead article.  

The first picture is of two toddlers – Joe and his sister Sue Doody. (The restauranteur of Columbus and author of ‘Changing Tables’)  “Both of us were born at ‘Good Sam’ and delivered by Dr. Norman Hochwalt, a relative - (and a well-known Daytonian).
“Dad’s family settled in Dayton in 1840…my great, great  uncle was the first Catholic priest in the area and founded a parish on Fifth Street.  On Sundays he preached three sermons, one in English, one in French, and one in German…for fifty years until he died in 1899.  Mother’s family name was Keys. Grandfather was something of an entrepreneur and his real estate company still exists through it’s many name changes.  When Blackstone performed at the Victory Theater he stayed at Grandfather’s house. After one performance  Blackstone  gave me my first pet – a white rabbit he’d pulled from his hat!

“In the early 40’s and living on Dixon Ave. we’d go ‘trick-or-treating’ to Hawthorn Hill. Each year Orville Wright personally handed each of us a shiny silver dollar treat.  I can remember Orville strolling the sidewalks of Oakwood wearing his fedora and carrying his cane.

“Later I was privileged to spend three years at Cambridge (where Joe earned a Ph.D)  I was a classmate of Prince Charles.  He was in a different college – I was in King’s College – but I did meet him on several occasions.”

Notes about the author:  Father Joseph W. Goetz is author of two books and many articles.  Holds a Ph.D in philosophical theology from Cambridge University. Professor of theology at Mt. St. Mary’s Seminary for nine years; Pastor of his home parish, Holy Angels in Dayton; and St. Paul’s in Yellow springs; Professor at UD.  His water colors are admired and much sought after - one of which is pictured in the magazine.  It’s painted from the deck of Connie Breen’s home on Long Pond in Maine – where Joe and several fellow Daytonians have spent several wonderful vacations.

Karen Roberts mentioned   last Thursday’s Woman’s Literary Club’s program:  ‘It was the  greatest…” raved Karen. “The program was entitled ‘Jazz Age Melodies’. You’d have known the words to every song. They were tunes from ‘between the Wars’  and Donna Reece sang them all…it was    nostalgic, and beautiful… I’ve just heard that her program  will be repeated this afternoon (Sunday) at the Univ. of Dayton.

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