Jeffrey T. Goetz, 67, of Maryland passed away March 23 after a brave fight with cancer.

Jeff was born on April 7, 1946, in Pittsburgh to Thomas J. and Margaret L. (Barie) Goetz.

Jeff is survived by his wife of 43 years, Kathy; his son, Jeremy (Eva), and his daughters, Meghan (Milan) Mitrovich and Kristen (Chris) Rich.

Jeff and Kathy celebrated the birth of their first grandchild, Elliott Jeffrey Rich, in January.

Jeff was the oldest of eight children, Thomas (Suzie), Barbara (Richard) Luckner, Barie (Betty), Michael (Deborah), John (Elizabeth), Scott (Nadine), and Bruce (Arlene).

Jeff graduated from North Catholic High School in 1964 and from Penn State University in 1968.

He served in the U.S. Navy from 1968 to 1974, then settled in Ellicott City, Md.

Jeff retired in 2006 from the U.S. Veterans Department as the deputy director of vocational rehabilitation and counseling in Washington, D.C.

Jeff shared his love of motorcycles with his brothers and rode to all four corners of the U.S. with his brother, Barie. Jeff, with the help of his brothers and special friends, was able to witness the dream of refurbishing his 1966 BMW R69s motorcycle in December.

We, his mother, sister, brothers, and family, are thankful to Kathy and their children for caring and surrounding Jeff with love during his battle. We were blessed with his humor and his wisdom, and for the life lessons he taught us. As the first-born, you have taught us well, brother, rest easy, job well done.

Goetz— A military memorial service for Jeffrey T. Goetz, who passed away Sunday, March 23, 2014, will be at the Rocky Gap Veterans Cemetery, Flintstone, Allegany County, Md., later.Memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org or to the American Cancer Society at www.donate.cancer.org.