Arthur H. Goodwin Jr., age 89 of Tewksbury, formerly of Chelsea, passed away peacefully at the Blair House Nursing Home on Thursday, September 5, 2024, just weeks after suffering from a stroke.
Arthur was born in Melrose Mass on January 06, 1935, he was the beloved son of the late Arthur H. Goodwin and Iva Louise (Lewis) Goodwin. He was raised in Chelsea Mass and graduated from Chelsea High in 1952. Shortly after graduating he proudly served in the national guard for 9 years.
He was married to Susan F. (Dawicki) Goodwin for 25 years and together they raised four children. The family resided in Chelsea until moving to Tewksbury in 1978. Upon retirement in 1992 he moved to Maine where he spent the next 25 years enjoying a slower pace of life while caring for his mother Iva Goodwin until her passing. After experiencing some health issues, he moved back to Massachusetts and resided with his daughter Darlene in Billerica.
Arthur was a hard worker, working two jobs to support his family. He worked at the Soldiers Home in Chelsea in the print shop from 1959-1992 and worked a second job doing janitorial work at Suffolk Downs racetrack in Revere Mass. When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed gardening, taking his family camping, snowmobiling, spending evenings at Revere Beach listing to the ball game and spending lazy days cooking out and swimming at Breakheart Reservation in Wakefield.
In his younger years some of his favorite memories included spending time at the local ballpark playing a pickup game of baseball, hanging with friends and visiting his relatives in Nova Scotia. He loved talking about the summers he spent in Nova Scotia and hoped one day he could return to visit his families land by the ocean where many relatives had been lobster men.
Arthur’s hobbies included collecting rare currency, watching old movies, listening to 60s music, playing pool and following his favorite Boston sports teams. In his retirement years you could always find him sporting in Bruins or Patriots jacket hanging out at local establishments in Tewksbury; T.J. Callahans, Kyoto, Mavericks, or Wamesit Lanes. He loved socializing over a beer and meeting new people. He had fond memories spending time with those that he developed close relationships with: Tammy, Nancy, Patsy, and his little friends who loved him like a grandfather: Stella and Sophie.
He leaves behind four children, Donna M. Lemire (Phil), of Florida, Kevin J. Goodwin (Patty), of Haverhill, Darlene Bouley (Ray), of Billerica, and Debbie A. Goodwin (Randy), of Tewksbury: eight grandchildren, Linda, Chelsey, Christian, Adam, Aaron, Jesse, Derek, Kristina, as well as many great grandchildren.
At the request of his family, services will be held privately.