Celebration of Addison Goodson; His Poetry and Soccer; Inside Nilfur's Home Kitchen

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Addison’s family and Nilfur bottom right.

Tonight Thursday was the Celebration of Addison Goodson, where many who knew him well and knew him a little came to pay their respects and visit. Many helping hands gathered around his wife Nilfur in her Home Kitchen, which will reopen after she has sorted everything that comes with passing life - the bills and the grief. The go fund me to help her bereavement is here: https://gofund.me/3c2664d86

Small business owners don’t have bereavement payment policies, or usually maternity leave or paternity leave. We are out here on our own. No government law could make us pay us with money that we don’t have. Be sure to book Nilfur for catering when she returns, and tell all your friends to come to her restaurant for her delicious and fresh Turkish food (the hummus was perfect, so light and smooth). The tea cups so colorful and waiting to be sipped from.

“Standing room only” noted one guest, Parisa Karami.

Addison’s Eulogy was spoken, and his poetry published in a pamphlet. Photos of his poems are here in this article. Little known fact to ALBB was that he played soccer on Saturday mornings with that crew at Memorial Park. His position? “Near the goal. He’d be down there and if the ball came close, he would kick it in. None of us really have positions. We just play,” said one fellow neighbor and soccer player to ALBB.

Not everyone knew Addison was struggling with such a fatal condition. Serves as a reminder to the rest of us with those who are still here, to stay close. xo

Be sure to read Addison’s poem, HOME, among his others.

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Obituary For Addison Goodson; Celebration Of Life Date; Fundraiser For His Wife Nilufer

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A celebration of Addison’s life will be held on Thursday, April 23 at 4:00 p.m. at Nilufer’s Home Kitchen, 135 Main Street, Beacon.

A community fundraising effort to support his wife Nilufer can be found at: https://gofund.me/3c2664d86. Recently, Addison faced a difficult battle with cancer and, after a courageous fight, passed away on Sunday, April 19th, 2026. Throughout his illness, Nilufer was by his side, often closing her restaurant to care for him. This devotion, while a testament to their love, has brought significant financial challenges—lost business revenue, mounting healthcare costs, and now, the expenses of saying goodbye to Addison.

Addison Goodson’s Obituary

Written by his sister, Klair Ethridge.

Addison Thomas Goodson, III, a resident of Beacon, New York since 2005, passed away peacefully at home on April 19, 2026. He was 69 years old.

Born on September 15, 1956, in New York City, Addison was the son of the late Addison Thomas Goodson, Jr. and Elizabeth Govern Goodson. He grew up in a family deeply connected to public service and education. His mother was a dedicated educator in the New York Public School System, and his father worked for the New York City Library System.

Addison attended the Bronx High School of Science, where he thrived alongside his siblings in the city’s public school system. During his youth, he spent summers working at the Henry Street Settlement, an early reflection of his lifelong commitment to community service. He later received a full New York State Regents Academic Scholarship and graduated from Southampton College, a campus of Long Island University.

Addison spent time living in Los Angeles, where he co-founded and helped develop a restaurant job training program at the St. Joseph Center in Venice Beach. The program trained unhoused individuals in both front- and back-of-house restaurant skills and became the foundation for the now-renowned Bread & Roses Café. Addison also co-chaired several charitable fundraisers, bringing together notable members of the Hollywood community to support the program. Throughout his life, he remained a passionate community organizer, activist, and advocate, and also served as an Ombudsman.

A man of many talents and passions, Addison was especially devoted to writing poetry. He began composing as a child and continued throughout his life, sharing his work through readings at the Howland Cultural Center and other local venues. He also had a lifelong love of soccer, playing locally with the United Football Club of Beacon and supporting his favorite teams, Manchester United and FC Barcelona.

Addison loved to travel and experience different cultures. He was known for his roguish wit and gallows humor, bringing laughter and light to those around him.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Nilufer Goodson; his son, Addison T. Goodson IV; his sister, Klair Ethridge and her husband Ben;, his brother, Marc Gaynor and his wife, Anna; several nieces and nephews; and many friends and community members who will miss him dearly.

In addition to his parents, Addison was predeceased by his daughter, Gamze Merih Goodson, and his brother, Peter Shephard.

Funeral arrangements are under the care of Riverview Funeral Home by Halvey, LLC. To send a personal condolence, please visit www.riverviewbyhalvey.com.

Addison Goodson Has Passed; Advocate and Husband To Nilfur's Home Kitchen

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Addison Goodson has passed away, according to his wife Nilfur Goodson, and according to himself in his own video posted in Nilfur’s Home Kitchen’s Instagram. Addison and Nilfur Goodson owned and operated the eatery which serves Turkish breakfast and more. At Christmas time, a Black Santa statue would stand outside to welcome everyone inside.

“He was truly my soul mate. He was always kind and thoughtful. I am going to miss him every minute of my life. He was a different soul. He was thinking everybody but himself. He was tooo tired all he had been through. I believe he is in peace. God bless him with my whole heart.”
— Nilfur Goodson

“We lost my beloved husband, Addison, passed away early this morning. This is to inform those who loved him,” wrote Nilfur on the restaurant’s Instagram page. She also wrote a note on the door of the shop, saying: “Due to the loss of my dearest husband, Nilfur’s Home Kitchen is closed until further notice.”

Addison was a known and visible community member in the City of Beacon. He could be seen walking the streets, attending City Council Meetings advocating for affordable housing, attending marches for Palestinian liberation, among other causes he believed in. He often gave those around him encouraging words of support to continue their work.

In his own video published the following morning by Nilfur, Addison said: “Like in the movies, if you’re watching this, I’m probably dead. But, I like my point of view here. If I got to go, I got to go in a warm place of love. And I’m very grateful to my wife, the Wonderfulest.”

In a statement to A Little Beacon Blog, Nilfur said of her husband: “He was truly my soul mate. He was always kind and thoughtful. I am going to miss him every minute of my life. He was a different soul. He was thinking everybody but himself. He was tooo tired all he had been through. I believe he is in peace. God bless him with my whole heart.”

Community members were tracking Addison’s health online based on Nilfur’s health updates for him at the restaurant. Just after posting her award for being awarded “Most Successful International Executive Chef” in Turkey in September 2024, the health updates started.

In October 2024, Nilfur posted: “My dearest friends and guests, due to my husband’s health condition, we will only be open for breakfast. Thank you for understanding.”

In September 2025, Nilfur wrote: “We will be closed October 3th, 2025, Friday for health issue. Hopefully we will open October 4th Saturday.”

In November 2025, Nilfur wrote: “Hi Everyone, We will be closed between Nov. 10th-Nov. 17th. My husband will have heart surgery and I need to take care of him. Sorry for inconvenience.”

And now on Sunday, April 19th, 2026, the final message.

Blessings, peace and mercy to Addison and Nilfur Goodson.