Photo courtesy of Reed & Benoit Funeral Home Inc. - Watertown
Oct 14, 1926 - Oct 14, 2025
Bob, I am so sorry for your loss.
On Saturday I was at the celebration of life for Nina Timerman, another one of my parents’ longtime friends. Not many of their generation is left, so I guess that makes us the old timers now.
Helen Peterson Willard
October 21, 2025 | Dexter, NY | Friend
I remember your Dad well from our shared time at Trinity, he and your Mom were a big part of the community. Your families will be in my prayers.
Steve Daub
October 19, 2025 | Live Oak, FL | Friend
Sorry to hear of Carl’s passing. I worked with him at Stebbins for many years. He was a tough old bird who always made sure things were done right.
He had a great run— a sign of his toughness.
My condolences
(We were out of town or would have been at calling hours)
Robert Storms
October 19, 2025 | Adams, NY | Coworker
As fellow parishioners, we enjoyed many a coffee hour after Sunday services with Carleton and his wife Shirley.You could always count on Carleton to help his wife to church during their last years together. What a lovely couple. When Carlton became homebound in recent times, his presence was surely missed. Please accept our sincere condolences for the loss of Carleton, a man we admired. May your wonderful memories sustain you at this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Donald and Gail...
Gail Butterfield
October 18, 2025 | Watertown, NY | Friend
Deep condolences, Bob. I am so sad to have lost a wonderful neighbor and a Great Guy.
Margot Rhode
October 18, 2025 | Watertown, NY
Great guy, always had a smile on his face. I was honored to have known him. R.I.P And God bless . My thoughts and prayers are with family.
Darrel Kicherer
October 17, 2025 | Watertown, NY | Family
Bob I was sad to hear your dad‘s passing. It’s a lot of years on this earth. Remember the good times Bob
Don Pastor
October 17, 2025 | Adams Center, NY | Friend
Hey Bob, its Jackie I used to work at the Summit. I was sorry to see your Dad in Obituaries. I am sorry for your families loss. No more pizza parties. Just know that I am thinking of you and your family and send my love. Jackie
Jackie Burke-McGinnis
October 17, 2025 | Lansdowne, ON | Acquaintance
I've known Carlton for years as a member of Trinity Church. A true conversationalist! Coffee hour is not the same. A true gentleman.
Jane Gendron
October 17, 2025 | Watertown, NY | Friend
WATERTOWN, NY – Carlton A. Goodwin passed away peacefully in the late hours of his 99th birthday, October 14, 2025, at Samaritan Summit Village where he was a resident.
Calling hours will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2025 from 11-1 pm at Reed & Benoit Funeral Home. A funeral service will immediately follow at 1 pm at the funeral home, with Mother Molly of the Trinity Episcopal Church officiating. Burial will then be in Brookside Cemetery where military honors will be rendered.
Carlton was born on October 14, 1926 in Levant, Maine, son of the late Ervin R. and Eleanor R. (Emerson) Goodwin. He attended local schools and went on to Bangor High School, upon which he was drafted into the United States Army, serving in WWII. During his time stationed at Pine Camp (Fort Drum), he met the love of his life, Shirley Jean Borland. He was honorably discharged from the service in December of 1946 at the rank of Sergeant.
On June 28th, 1947, he married his beloved Shirley at Trinity Episcopal Church. They enjoyed many activities over the years including boating, fishing, canoeing, downhill and cross-country skiing, bowling, and traveling. His family fondly recalls the story of Shirley taking him to the golf course to teach him how to golf. In true Carlton fashion, he stunned her by hitting a hole-in-one off the first tee.
He and Shirley were lifelong members of the Trinity Episcopal Church.
Carlton worked at the New York Air Brake before going to Stebbins Engineering & Manufacturing, retiring in 1990 as the Chief Draftsman after 41 years of dedicated service.
A skilled carpenter and craftsman from an early age, Carlton was a jack of all trades. He could handle plumbing, electrical wiring, drywall, painting, and was a certified welder. He built their family cottage using materials hauled from the family woodlot in Levant, Maine. He later went on to construct their family’s ranch house in Watertown. He also hand-built two wood-and-fiberglass boats, and did remodeling on his son’s house, testaments to his skill and craftmanship.
An avid sportsman throughout his life, he enjoyed pheasant and duck hunting and traveled to the Chesapeake Bay goose hunting. He also spent time deer hunting with family and friends in Henderson. He was a lifelong member of the Watertown Sportsman’s Club, where he served as president and sat on the board. He was also a life member of American Legion Post 61 in Watertown, and a dedicated annual member of Ducks Unlimited and the National Rifle Association.
He shared his deep appreciation for nature by teaching waterfowl identification courses at Jefferson Community College for a time and serving on the now-disbanded Watertown Environmental Commission.
In 1990, he was honored as Conservationist of the Year by the Federated Sportsmen’s Clubs of Jefferson County. In 2013, he was named Conservationist of the Year by the New York Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. He coordinated years of lead volunteer work in fish stocking in the region.
Survivors include his daughter, Susan K. Goodwin of Rochester; his son, Robert L. “Bob” Goodwin, Sr. of Henderson; four grandchildren, Robert L. “Bob” (Katie) Goodwin, Jr. of Batavia, Elizabeth A. “Beth” Goodwin (Derek Lane) of Barnes Corners, NY, Hannah K. Goodwin (Cody Kaestle) of Charlotte, NC and Joshua C. Goodwin of Henderson; as well as four great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson.
In addition to his parents and his wife, Carlton was predeceased by his brother, Lyle E. Goodwin who passed tragically in an automobile accident in 1966, a sister, Carolyn E. Brown who passed away in 2018, a brother-in-law, Harold Brown, and a son-in-law, Albert Cubiotti.
Carlton’s son, Bob, extends his deepest gratitude to the administration and the skilled nursing staff of Units 2A and 3B at Samaritan Summit Village. He is especially thankful for the compassionate care provided by the dedicated CNAs—Jen, Megan, Natalie, and Amanda—as well as his nurse practitioner, Jayme. Their professionalism, kindness, and support meant so much during Carlton’s time in their care.
Arrangements are with Reed & Benoit Funeral Home, Inc. and condolences may be left online at www.reedbenoit.com.
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