Our dear friend and past President of the Lowell Historical Society and the Lowell Museum – John Goodwin died last month at the age of 95 nearly a year to the day that his beloved Cassie died. John and Catherine were local treasures always to be remembered by those of us who called them friends and colleagues. This obituary appeared in yesterday’s Lowell SUN:
John A. Goodwin Active in Lowell, MA historical community; 95
LOWELL/CHELMSFORD, MA — John A. Goodwin, 95, longtime resident of Lowell and Chelmsford, MA, and summers in Ogunquit, ME, died June 14, 2012 in Dover, NH.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Catherine (Hill) Goodwin, one year earlier.
Born in Lowell, MA to William B. Goodwin and Elizabeth Abbott Goodwin, John married his “Cassie” in 1943. He was a WWII veteran. After receiving degrees in Textile Engineering at Lowell Textile Institute, he taught there (now UMass, Lowell) until his retirement as Professor in 1980.
He was a lifelong member of St. Anne’s Episcopal Church and, since 1960, summers at St. Peters by-the-Sea near his Ogunquit cottage-serving both churches in many capacities, including many years as Treasurer. Until very old age, he was an active Mason (32nd degree, Kilwinning Lodge Past Master, Joseph Warren Medal). A Boy Scout “for life,” he served Lowell Council of Boy Scouts 60+ years (Silver Beaver Award, Old Scouts).
John had many interests — history, pipe organs and music, textiles, railroads, photography — and participated in many related activities. He served on boards, committees, and as president of many local organizations: Lowell Art Association, Lowell Historical Society, Lowell Museum, Boston & Maine RR Historical Society, among them. He (sometimes with wife, Catherine) gave slide-show lectures on historical topics. His photos were used in Catherine’s book about Lowell Cemetery. He was an advisor to the American Textile History Museum. Having learned how to tune organs at the side of his pipe organ-designer father, John played/tuned over 20 pipe organs in Lowell’s different churches. He served as National Secretary to the Railway & Locomotive Historical Society for 20 years.
Survivors are three children: Elizabeth Long (Robert) of Lisle, IL, William Goodwin (Meredith) of Whitehouse Station, NJ, and Jean Demetracopoulos (John) of S. Berwick, ME; seven grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. He was preceded in death by daughter, Catherine Ruth Goodwin.
GOODWIN — Funeral will be Friday, July 27 at 2:00 pm at St. Peter’s by-the-Sea, 535 Shore Road (Bald Head), Cape Neddick, ME, with light refreshments following at the nearby rectory. Interment of ashes for both John and Catherine will be Monday, July 30 at 11:00 am in Lowell Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Lowell Historical Society, P.O. Box 1826, Lowell, MA 01853.