Peter Neilsen Good

Peter Neilsen Good was born June 6, 1938 in Glen Cove, N.Y. to Earl Good and Mildred (Baldwin) Good.  He died April 11, 2024.

In 1944 Peter's Kindergarten teacher wrote of a then 5 year old boy:                                      
Peter has all the qualities of a real boy and an elf combined.  He is sweet, lovable, mischievous and at times shy.  He is exceptionally active and a great tease, finding more ways to make the others laugh.  He shows great thought and planning in his work and absorbs everything that he hears and sees.  It is very difficult to resist Peter because he is so lovable.
 
Peter (Pete) and his sister, Ginny, grew up on an historic Long Island nursery of several hundred acres.  He spent his formative years free to roam the endless paths, exploring and connecting with nature.  He retained this special affinity throughout his life.  He also developed an independent, inquisitive mind.  Curious about virtually everything, he was always ready to try new adventures.  

He loved to build things - but also loved to take things apart just to see how they worked.  He was very smart and a quick learner. After graduating from Huntington High School he attended Cornell University.  He then served in the Army from 1958 to 1961 in Japan.  He was very proud of his service.  Because of his skills with electrical and mechanical systems, he received special security related assignments and loved to share the stories of these experiences.

After returning home he began working in Manhattan for IBM and eventually made his way to California.  During this time Peter married Sheila and had a daughter, Melissa, who he adored and loved deeply all his life.  He went back to school at U.C. Berkeley and obtained a degree in Architecture, then moved his small family to Eugene and proceeded to establish his own home remodeling and construction business.  

After a divorce he moved back to California with his daughter.  His business succeeded and he decided to specialize in creating custom doors.  He was soon recognized nationally as one of the premier door makers.  He was an active member of the Bay Area Woodworking Association, and taught woodworking classes locally in addition to giving seminars throughout the U.S. and writing several articles for trade magazines.  During this time he remarried to Liz and gained a stepdaughter, Chloe.

His door making talent was featured in the San Francisco Chronicle and in "This Old House" magazine.  He was also featured in a TV episode of "This Old House" filmed in the Bay Area.  He now decided to expand his skills to incorporate stained glass designs into his doors.  He thoroughly enjoyed the creative energy he experienced in his woodworking shop and the pleasure he found in helping his many customers. He was an extremely caring man.

Peter has explored many diverse talents and interests throughout his life, blending his desire to be useful and productive with his love for laughter and fun.  He was always on the lookout for something that might need fixing.  Yet he also welcomed any opportunity to just have fun and enjoy the moment.  He had a lifelong interest in photography and at one time had hoped to pursue a career in that field.  He enjoyed writing stories and articles and speaking to groups and was active in Toastmasters.  He was one of the original members of the Southern Oregon Guild.  He was also a member of the Siskiyou Audubon Society.  He loved to travel, anywhere and everywhere, near or far.  He loved visiting Hawaii's islands and did so many times.  One time he built his own wood camper and took it travelling on some of his road trips.  He seldom was disturbed by unexpected events, seeing them as an opportunity for another adventure.  At various times he maintained a small vegetable garden, and also grew bromeliads and orchids as one of his hobbies.  Peter also loved eating and tasting different cuisines, but always vegetarian.  He was an accomplished cook and loved to experiment with new recipes from different cultures, which resulted in an extensive collection of eclectic cookbooks.  He was "famous" for his blackberry pies.  

Peter was proud of his service as a volunteer deputy with the Sheriff's Department from 2010 to 2014. He drove patrols and was the Neighborhood Watch Coordinator.  In 2012 he was awarded Volunteer Deputy of the Year.

While Peter achieved many accomplishments throughout his life, to his daughter and step-daughter his greatest achievement was being the best Dad ever.  He was loving, patient, and supportive, and his own playfulness led him to create happy, memorable experiences for his girls.      

Peter met Jackie March 1, 1990.  It was HIS SMILE! - And his adventurous spirit, enthusiasm for travel and food , his love of animals, his generosity and sense of humor, his overall enjoyment, and his strength and support.  But even more, it was his gentleness, thoughtfulness and kindness. They were soon doing everything together and discovered they made a great team.  When they moved to Oregon they began their final team project remodeling, landscaping and building their new home together. He built himself a new shop and spent many hours there.  But he also loved walking in the woods so he built extensive trails, making it easier for everyone, animals included, to roam every corner of the property.

 The love that has grown between them throughout the years has survived the devastation of Alzheimer's disease.  And Peter's life-long love of animals, and the peace and beauty of nature has been sustaining.
 
 Thank you to Alicia and Mary at Northridge Day Care for your love, support and advocacy for Peter.  Thank you to Percella for your good heart and care for Peter.  Thank you to the staff at Signature Hospice and at Anique for the kindness and respect you have shown Peter.  We are profoundly sad and miss his love and warmth and laughter.  You all helped to ease the pain of our loss.
 
Peter leaves behind his sister, Virginia Pembleton, daughter, Melissa Esquivel, step-daughter, Chloe Rutter-Jensen, granddaughters Emma and Sarah and Leah, his life partner Jackie Feather, and many others who knew and loved him.  Peter's ashes will be scattered among the places he has loved the most in this life.