Oxford College Student Student Dies Due To Virus Complications

OXFORD, CT — A University of New Haven student has died due to complications from COVID-19, according to a statement from the university. Joshua Goodart, 22, of Oxford, was on track to graduate in the spring semester.

He became sick over winter break and was hospitalized last month. As his condition worsened, he was transferred to the intensive care unit and put on a ventilator. He had not yet returned to campus for the spring semester.

Goodart was a cybersecurity and networks major.

His advisor, Professor Liberty Page, said he was passionate about his major, describing him as a "hardworking, sincerely nice, and happy person. He never had a complaint and was nothing but positive. I am thinking of his smile, how cheerful he was, and how excited he was about his future."

Goodart wanted to remain in Connecticut after graduation and work in network administration.

"He was getting ready to go into his career and to do a great job helping to protect the network of a company in our state," Page said in a statement.

The university will award Goodart's degree posthumously in the spring.

The Undergraduate Student Government Association will hold a candlelight vigil this Friday to remember Goodart.

A GoFundMe has been started for the Goodart family by Edna Darroch.

"After weeks of treatment, his symptoms still were not improving and dialysis was then needed for his kidney failure," the GoFundMe page reads. "On the evening of February 6, 2021 his parents received a call that no parent ever wants to receive. They were told that their beautiful son would not make it through the night and should come to the hospital immediately. Josh unfortunately did pass away that night from the horrible complications of Covid-19."

Goodart was a 2017 graduate of Oxford High School. Darroch wrote on the page that the family has always shown kindness and generosity to the entire neighborhood and community.

"For those who knew Josh, he was a sweet and kind friend to all," she wrote. "It is so devastating to his family and friends to have lost such a dear boy at the young age of 22 years. It really is every parent's worst nightmare. Now his younger Brother, heart broken Mother and Father's lives are changed FOREVER."

To donate to the Goodart family, go to the GoFundMe page.