Nashua - Bruce Peter Gooding, born June 20, 1941, in Methuen, MA, passed away peacefully on March 4, 2026, in Sebastian, FL, surrounded by loved ones.

The son of Blanche Aumais and Charles Gooding, Bruce grew up in Methuen and attended Central Catholic High School in Lawrence, where he worked as a paperboy to pay his tuition. This early independence set the tone for a life defined by determination and curiousity. After many years in Haverhill, Massachusetts, Bruce settled in Nashua, NH where he built a vibrant community before relocating to Florida.

Bruce lived boldly and embraced life with an adventurous spirit and a gift for storytelling. Whether boat racing on the ocean, embarking on a Grand European Tour in his youth, riding his Harley-Davidson, diving into a 250-foot bungie jump, or hosting family and friends aboard his Boston Whaler Revenge, "Bridget," Bruce collected countless memories and shared them with humor and New England charm. He especially cherished time on the water, creating lasting memories during ocean outings and riverside cookouts.

Professionally, Bruce began at Wang Laboratories but soon pursued his entrepreneurial spirit. He founded one of the first wholesale-to-the-public bathroom fixture businesses, which expanded to three locations across Massachusetts and New Hampshire. His Canal Street building in Nashua became a hub for his creative ventures, including "The Velvet Rail" billiard hall and later "Consignment World," a consignment store where Bruce's motto was, "You need cash? I need stock—let's talk." Bruce's businesses became gathering places filled with camaraderie and laughter.

A master storyteller with a sharp wit and encyclopedic memory, Bruce brought laughter to every event. He was also a skilled handyman who could fix anything and had a knack for finding ingenious solutions. Bruce lived fully, laughed often, and left behind a lifetime of stories that will continue to be shared for generations.

Bruce is survived by his children, Charles Gooding; Lisa Gooding; Erica Gooding-Simpson; four grandchildren; his brother Vincent Gooding; Claire Gooding - mother of Lisa, Bridget, and Erica; and many friends and loved ones. He was predeceased by his parents and his daughter Bridget Gooding.

Bruce's ashes will be interred at St. Mary's Cemetery in Methuen, MA, alongside his parents and daughter Bridget. Friends are invited to share memories on his online memorial page: https://www.forevermissed.com/bruce-peter-gooding/about.

Those who knew Bruce know that his stories, laughter, and larger-than-life spirit will never be forgotten.