ROCKPORT: Carl D. Goodwin, Jr., 88, formerly of Millbrook Park, died peacefully Wednesday, October 27, 2010 in the Den-Mar Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. He was the husband of the late Eleanor G. (Longwood) Goodwin, who passed away in January of 1987. They had shared nearly twenty-five years of marriage, residing happily and raising their children in Rockport.
Born in Gloucester on October 1, 1922, he was the eldest son of the late Carl D. and Lollie E. (Walen) Goodwin. He was a graduate of the Gloucester High School, Class of 1942. A friendly and active young man, he spent his youth living, playing, working and sailing in East Gloucester.
He was inducted into the U.S. Army during World War II and served in the 791st Batallion in Northern France. Upon his return in 1946, he joined the National Guard and remained with them for the next twenty years. He completed his military career with the Naval Reserves from 1966 to 1968.
Early in his life, he worked in boat building and repair at the Gloucester Marine Railways on Rocky Neck. Carpentry was his trade and he worked for numerous organizations including the Hobbs, Feldman and Goodick construction companies. In retirement he enjoyed sharing his carpentry abilities with family and friends. He was always pleased to help out in whatever way he could.
He was also a proud volunteer for the Rockport Fire Department for over twenty years and served as the company clerk for Pigeon Cove Engine Company #2. He was a man who understood the value of friendship and loved the fellowship and connections available in his Cape Ann community. Carl was an active member of the Rockport Firemen’s Association, as well as The Tyrian-Ashler-Acacia Lodge, A.F. & A.M. He also belonged to the Edward Peterson Post #98, American Legion and could often be found at the Rockport Legion Band concerts at the Bandstand at Back Beach on summer Sunday evenings.
Never one to sit idle for long, in his seventies, he was an active volunteer for the Meals on Wheels program and a delivery person for the former Floral Concepts in Rockport. In his eighties, Carl was a valued employee “up on the Hill” at the lumberyard of the Timberline Enterprises in Gloucester. According to Carl's many loyal friends who worked over the last decade at Crackerjacks in Rockport, one could safely say that he had been an honorary member of their crew.
Carl’s family wishes to gratefully praise and extend special thanks to Cape Ann Medical Center, The Center for Healthy Aging at Addison Gilbert Hospital, Northshore PRN, SeniorCare, Inc., and the VNA Care Network, as well as Den-Mar Rehabilitation and Nursing Center for the special care and support given to Carl in his twilight years.
He is lovingly missed and survived by his daughter, Heidi L. Goodwin, and her husband, Powell T. Dixon of Rockport; his son, Glen C. Goodwin, and his partner, Daniel P. Foster of Portland, ME; three grandchildren, Andrew M. Goodwin of Westbrook, ME; and Madelyne E. and Simon P. Dixon, ages 8 and 5, of Rockport. “Grampy” deeply loved his family, and his grandchildren were the sunshine of his life. His loss is also shared by his relatives by marriage, F. Louise (Heald) and Ronald Aines of Northbrook, IL; Marcia (Aines) Garrett and sons, Timothy and Ben Garrett, of Phoenix, AZ; Marshall and Kristen Aines and sons, Matthew and Joshua, of Denver, CO. He was also predeceased by his sister, Constance “Connie” Goodwin and brother, Robert “Bob” Goodwin of East Gloucester.
Visiting hours will be held on Saturday, November 6th in the Pike-Grondin Funeral Home, 61 Middle Street, Gloucester from 2 – 5 p.m. A graveside service will be held on Sunday afternoon in the Beech Grove Cemetery, Rockport at 1 p.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that expressions of sympathy may be made in his memory to the Rockport Firemen’s Association, 37 Broadway, Rockport, MA 01966.