Earl Goldberg, 87, of Glenside; owned auto-body company

Earl Goldberg, 87, of Glenside, owner and operator of an auto body and painting company in South Philadelphia for more than 40 years, died Friday, April 19, of complications from heart failure at Abington Memorial Hospital.

Mr. Goldberg operated Star Auto Painting at Eighth and Reed Streets, a business started by his father in the 1930s. It did painting and bodywork for car dealers and owners.

Mr. Goldberg wore flannel shirts and jeans to work every day, except during warm weather, when he would wear short-sleeve plaid shirts, his family said. Outside of work he was neatly dressed, always wearing his signature bow ties.

Mr. Goldberg was born April 28, 1925, in Philadelphia, the son of Jacob and Leah Goldberg.

Raised in West Philadelphia, Mr. Goldberg was a graduate of Central High School and Temple University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in business.

He served in the Army Air Force on Guam during World War II.

In 1955, he married Marcia Wollman, whom he met through friends. They lived in Glenside for more than 50 years.

After the war and after completing his college studies, Mr. Goldberg went to work with his father at Star Auto Painting.

The business had about 15 employees, most of whom worked there for years, said Mr. Goldberg's son, Larry.

Mr. Goldberg took over the company in the 1970s after his father retired.

"His whole life, he just loved cars," his son said. "He was one of those car junkies."

Mr. Goldberg owned a 1934 Cadillac, a vintage MG roadster, and other classic vehicles over the years, and kept them in pristine condition, his son said.

After he retired in the late 1980s and sold the company, Mr. Goldberg and his wife traveled around the country and overseas, visiting Russia and Israel.

He then worked for several years as an arbitrator for the Better Business Bureau, earning the group's recognition award for outstanding service, his son said.

Mr. Goldberg also volunteered at the Free Library of Philadelphia, teaching computer skills to children and young adults.

He enjoyed art, opera, and classical music. He and his wife had season tickets to the Philadelphia Orchestra for many years.

Mr. Goldberg kept abreast of the news.

"He always stressed the importance of current events," his son said. "He read the paper every morning, every day, throughout his life."

Mr. Goldberg enjoyed watching Jeopardy! and was a fan of the Eagles and Phillies.

He had a dry, quick wit, his son said.

"He told me once that the secret to a long, successful marriage is that he let my mother make all the day-to-day decisions and that he got involved in the big decisions, but fortunately there were no big decisions to be made," his son said.

In addition to his wife and son, Mr. Goldberg is survived by a daughter, Betsy Green, and five grandchildren. A daughter, Myra Plumridge, died earlier.

Services were Monday, April 22.

Donations may be made in Mr. Goldberg's name to the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House, 3925 Chestnut St., Philadelphia 19104.