Former Albany Community and Economic Development Director Rudy Goddard, 78, dies

ALBANY — Former Albany Community and Economic Development (ACED) Director Rudy Goddard died Thursday, Feb. 5 at his home in West Palm Beach, Fla., at the age of 78.

Goddard, a native of Trinidad and Tobago, was employed by the city from 1982 until retiring in 2001 when he moved to West Palm Beach. In 1988 he was a driving force behind the establishment of the city’s small business “incubator” on Jefferson Street which eventually became the Arthur K. Williams Small Business Development Center.

He migrated from Trinidad as a young man and worked as a steel painter and a self-employed real estate broker. Goddard later joined the construction firm of Skolnick and Skolnick where he remained for 20 years before relocating to Albany.

After arriving in Albany Goddard began work with the ACED as a housing specialist. He later became the department’s director where he focused his vision on people’s living conditions, especially in regard to providing quality housing to moderate and low-income families.

“Rudy and I worked together under several mayors of Albany — Larry Bays, Tommy Coleman and Paul Keenan,” former city commissioner Henry Mathis said. “We worked very well together because the ward I represented was in dire need of economic development. He was a visionary and beloved in the community and he was a dear friend of mine.”

After the flood of 1994 he concentrated on restoring blighted homes and building new communities in Albany.

“Rudy’s main concern was housing and he worked very hard it it,” Coleman said. “He was committed to the community and worked with several mayors beginning with James Gray. He built a remarkable record of community service and he was very easy to work with.

“After the flood, a lot of people in Albany now live in better housing because of Rudy Goddard’s leadership and commitment to the community. He was the instrument that made it work.”

He is survived by a daughter, Gershia Ardo, of Pembroke Pines, Fla.; two sons, Rick (Danelle) of Sasser and Matthew (Sherita) of Leesburg; and seven grandchildren.

A memorial will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday at River Road Church of Christ located at 2023 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Brother Robert Clemons Sr. will officiate.