Roger Goodman’s friends and family cheered as the newly minted nonagenarian entered the outdoor patio of the Subway sandwich shop on Webster Street for the celebration of his 90th birthday on Saturday, April 4.
Goodman, known by many as the “Mayor of Webster Street,” is a longtime Alameda resident, who, for decades, lived on Pacific Avenue just off Webster. Over the years, he would frequent nearly all the eateries and shops up and down the West End’s primary business corridor, but his favorites included Subway (formerly a Doggie Diner), Jack in the Box, Starbucks, Seelenbacher Jewelers, Nation’s Giant Hamburgers, and Domenico’s Italian Deli.
It was at these institutions where many of the acquaintances now hugging or sharing life updates with Goodman first encountered him, finding him to be a friendly face always willing to trade tidbits of history or offer timely life advice.
Tony and Cindy Atases met Goodman at Nation’s, when Cindy decided to strike up a conversation with him after noticing that he, like them, were regulars. That blossomed into a decades-long friendship.
“He’s got a heart of gold,” said Tony…