Robert Goulet
November 26, 1933- October 30, 2007
The Funeral November 9, 2007
Photo by Stephen Thorburn

It was a beautiful service that memorialized the life of Robert Goulet and closed the final curtain. The highlight of the service was hearing Goulet’s own voice singing “Ave Maria”, “Pull Me Up Lord” “If Ever I would Leave You” and “ Happy Time” It also included a video montage with some of Goulet’s memorable performances.

While the service was held at the Roman Catholic Shrine of the Most Holy Redeemer in Las Vegas, Nevada, it was really an inter-faith service. Of course the service included much of the tradition Roman Catholic Christian Burial; but it also included songs sung by Cantors Tony Estrada and Joni Yeager and Eulogies by his good friend Don Moomaw Pastor at the Bel –Air Presbyterian Church. The other Eulogies were delivered by his children, daughter Nicolette Goulet, Sons Christopher and Michael Goulet, Dr. David Kipper and Broadway Producer Mike Merrick his friend and former Publicist.

Phyllis McGuire


Vera Goulet saying a final farwell to her husband Robert, with Steve Lawrence looking on.


From Left: Jack Jones, Sonny Turner, Steve Lawrence


Rich Little and Vincent Valcone

There were many celebrity entertainers and musicians who came to pay their final respect to the acclaimed Robert Goulet. They included close friends, singer Steve Lawrence and musician Vincent Falcone, who were among the pall bearers that included Goulet's sons, grand sons and other close friends. Jack Jones, Rich Little, Phyllis McGuire, Tony Curtis, Debbie Reynolds and Sonny Turner were among the list of celebrities that came to say good-bye.

The service did include stories about Goulet being a parent, friend and performer. However the most touching and heart felt story was told to me by Merrick and musician Santos Savino before the service. Prior to Friday's, November 9th public funeral, on Thursday evening family and close friends gathered at the Goulet’s home to say a more intimate farewell. It included the casket with Robert Goulet’s body.

Vera and Robert Goulet have four or five cats that hid while most of proceedings went on. Like the public service, the private one had the coffin following a bagpiper as it left the building. Upon hearing the bag piper and coffin leaving, the cats all gathered and lined up in a very stately fashion to bid the master of the house goodbye. Once the coffin left the house and the door closed the cats hid again. Robert Goulet’s epitaph shall read: “He left them smiling!” I felt that last story encompassed that feeling.