Eric L. Goodchild

Eric Leonard Goodchild, age 65, in his words: “Turned the page. Closed the book. And went to meet the Author” on July 6, 2025, after a brief bout with lymphoma cancer. Eric was born on April 5, 1960 to Irwin L. Goodchild, Jr. and Gertrude (Trudie) Conklin Goodchild. He grew up in Pelham, MA, and attended Pelham Elementary School until the family moved to Shelburne, MA when he was 12. Eric graduated from Mohawk Trail High School, and Holyoke Community College with an Associate Degree in Music. In college his major instrument was violin, because they didn’t offer bagpipes. Eric also attended Lowell State College as a music major for one year before going to work on his Grandparent’s dairy farm in Ashley Falls, MA full time. Eric referred to his time spent with his grandparents as “Conklin Finishing School”. He learned dairy farming, crop production, gardening, and so much more.

In 1983 he married Barbara (Davenport) Goodchild of Shelburne, MA. Together they started a family, and Barberic Farm (pronounced: Barb-Eric Farm). Eric was either a “musical farmer” or a “farming musician”. It depended on the day.

Musically Eric started learning Scottish Highland Bagpipes when he was 15, studied violin, and loved to sing. He participated in: Taconic Pipe Band in New York, Pioneer Valley Symphony Orchestra as a violinist, and various New England Scottish Festivals competing as a Grade 2 Solo Bagpiper. He sang with 1st Congregational Church of Shelburne’s Choir, Buckland Men’s Chorus, and played violin for River Valley Christian Church’s morning worship services. Eric was a 50-year solo bagpiper, playing for many and various private and public celebrations around New England. He was also a bagpipe and violin/fiddle teacher, and lover of classical, folk, oldies, and sacred music.

As a farmer and craftsman, he and Barbara had Registered Romney Sheep and a large vegetable garden from which they produced a wide variety of specialty foods, lamb, and woolen goods. They have been vendors at various local farmers markets since 2006. Eric was also a craftsman of blacksmithing, hand tooled leather, handspun yarn, woolen knit wearables, model airplanes, gardening, and bagpipe cane bass drone reeds.

Part-time employment off the farm included: Dabar Computer Services in Greenfield, MA, Toyota of Greenfield as a car salesman, and night shift at Home Depot, Greenfield, MA. He was a member of the Leyden Rifle Club, Franklin County Radio Control Airplane Club, and the American Revolutionary War Appleseed Project.

Eric is survived by his wife Barbara of Shelburne, son Ian Goodchild, Atlantic Highlands, NJ; daughter Anna (David) Kopcych, Taunton, MA; granddaughters Amelia and Eva; brother Bruce (Donna) Goodchild, Ashley Falls, MA, and a wide extended family.

A gathering of Thanksgiving for the Life of Eric Goodchild will be held on Sunday, August 10, 2025, from 1:30 to 4:30 pm, at the Davenport Maple Farm, 111 Tower Road, Shelburne, MA. Starting at 1:30pm with a hymn sing, 2pm service, followed by a finger food potluck and bring your own lawn chair reception. Beverages and paper goods provided. Burial will be a private family gathering.

Donations to help with medical and funeral expenses and/or to help Barberic Farm can be sent to: Barbara Goodchild, c/o River Valley Christian Church, 11 Silver Street, Greenfield, MA 01301. Memorial contributions can be sent to the charity of your choice. Smith Kelleher Funeral Home is helping with arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Eric L. Goodchild, please visit our floral store.