Sheldon "Shelly" Goldstein
GOLDSTEIN: Sheldon “Shelly” Goldstein passed away the morning of March 25, 2017. Shelly was born July 5, 1939, and grew up in the Oakland neighborhood. He spent much of his time on ball fields, basketball courts, and at his parents’ restaurant on lower Fifth Avenue, Goldstein’s Restaurant. Shelly attended Schenley High School where he excelled in baseball and basketball. After graduating he attended Marshall University on a college basketball scholarship. After one semester, Shelly left and joined the Army. After his time in the Army Shelly transferred to Slippery Rock University where he was an accomplished member of the swim team. Shelly’s passion for sports and athletics carried him into his professional career. After completing his master’s degree at the University of Pittsburgh, Shelly became a teacher and coach at high schools in the Pittsburgh area. Shelly coached baseball at Mt. Lebanon High School where they won several WPIAL and PIAA state championships in the 1980s and 1990s. Shelly also coached at Brashear High School where he became known as “Coach Gold.” He won city championships in swimming and basketball while at Brashear. The 1994-1995 basketball season at Brashear was Shelly’s crowning achievement when his team won the City League championship. He remained very close with the players from this team and followed them throughout their college careers. Shelly retired in 1995, going out on top. “One of my favorite things about going out with my uncle,” niece Beth Goldstein Goldman laments, “is when his players would recognize him all of these years later. It was really special to hear the students share their favorite ‘Coach Gold’ memory with him. He was a positive male role model for so many of his students.” Shelly was inducted into the Jewish Sports Hall of Fame of Western Pennsylvania, an organization known for giving back to youth sports in the community, for coaching. Shelly served as president for the JSHOF and was a board member for more than 30 years. In his retired years, Shelly enjoyed traveling to visit friends, golfing, and attending Pittsburgh sporting events. He rarely missed a home Pitt football or Steelers game with his brother Bob. Shelly resided in Mt. Lebanon for 30 years and was an active member at both the South Hills and Squirrel Hill Jewish Community Centers. Shelly was a character who was always joking with his friends and having fun. For several years, he dressed as Santa Claus for families of the Pittsburgh Penguins during the holidays, humbly accepting Penguins tickets in exchange for his services. Shelly was also a locally famous Simon Says caller. Shelly was very special and loved by everyone who knew him. Shelly is survived by his brother Bob (Linda) Goldstein, niece Beth (Jeremy) Goldman, and nephew Michael (Maggie) Goldstein. Also survived by daughter Araan (Doug) Burnett and grandchildren Megan and Macey. Shelly is preceded in death by his parents, Murray and Hilda Goldstein, and brother Harry (Roz) Goldstein. Shelly leaves behind, cousins, and friends across the country, as well as the countless students whose lives he positively impacted. Services were held at Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. Interment Tree of Life Memorial Park. Donations can be made to the Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, 5738 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15217. A memorial scholarship fund for high school senior athletes has been set up in Shelly’s memory. schugar.com
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