David P. Goodwin

1918 - 2011

MANCHESTER - David P. Goodwin, 93, of Manchester, died Friday evening, Dec. 2, 2011, at his home following a brief illness.

He was born June 26, 1918, in Manchester, the son of Lewis B. and Lynda M. (Courser) Goodwin and was a lifelong city resident. When he was 13 months old, his father died in an automobile accident; his mother later married Walter H. Childs. He was raised by his mother and stepfather and his grandparents, Elmer D. and Ella L. (Sargent) Goodwin. A graduate of the Holderness School, Class of 1937, he was the second oldest living alumni, attending all of his reunions including one this past October. He attended the New England Institute prior to joining his grandfather in the family business, Goodwin Funeral Home, and served the community there for more than 50 years.

Mr. Goodwin was long active in many organizations in the Manchester community. A trustee of the Cogswell Benevolent Trust for almost 40 years, he volunteered for over 70 years for the American Red Cross and was a 65-year member and a past president of the Manchester Rotary Club. A former trustee of the Holderness School, he served on the boards of directors of the Hundred Club of New Hampshire and the Manchester Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Manchester Boys and Girls Club and Easter Seals of New Hampshire, where he had served as chairman of the board and continued to remain active until recently. He was also a trustee of Neighborworks Greater Manchester.

Many of the institutions in which he was involved had honored him over the years: Neighborworks Greater Manchester presented him with the "Outstanding Neighbor Award," the Manchester Boys and Girls Club honored him with a "Hall of Fame Award" and he was honored by Easter Seals of New Hampshire with the "David P. Goodwin Lifetime Commitment Award," named in his honor. With his wife, Dorothy, they were recognized by the Heritage (now Granite) United Way with the William S. Green Lifetime Achievement Award and by the Manchester Chapter of the American Red Cross in appreciation for their "vision and leadership in the Building for the 21st Century campaign". They were also honored by the William J. Moore Center and in 2008, Easter Seals named their boardroom the David P. and Dorothy M. Goodwin Board Room in recognition of their commitment to Easter Seals.

He was a member of the First Congregational Church. He was a member of Washington Lodge No. 61, F.&A.M., Trinity Commandery No. 1, KT. and Adoniram Council, No 3, R&SM and was a member of Bektash Temple, AAONMS, serving in 1959 as the potentate.

Mr. Goodwin was married for 64 years to Dorothy M. (Kilton) Goodwin who died in September 2010.

Members of his family include his children, Marilyn Soper and her husband, Bruce, of Keene, Ellie Cochran and her husband, David, of Manchester and Charles S. Goodwin and his wife, Jaye, of Manchester; seven grandchildren, Katharine Taft Leinwand and her husband, Eric, of Westport, Conn.; Lt. Cmdr. David N. Taft, U.S. Navy and his wife, Lt. Cmdr Courtney Parker Taft, U.S. Navy of San Diego, Calif., Sarah P. Cochran of Manchester, Andrew D. Cochran and his fiancée, Kristen Geiger of West Hartford, Conn., C. Robbins "Robb" Goodwin of Manchester, Lauren K. Goodwin of New York City and Carolyn C. Goodwin of Washington, D.C.; three great-grandchildren, Joshua T. Leinwand and Zachary C. Leinwand and Dylan C. Taft; a sister, Lynda Childs Fritz of Manchester; and nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, John A. Childs; and a sister, Persis Childs Brown.

Calling hours for Mr. Goodwin will be held at the Goodwin Funeral Home, 607 Chestnut St., corner of Harrison Street, on Tuesday, Dec. 6, from 4 to 8 p.m.

The funeral service will be held at the First Congregational Church, corner of Hanover and Union streets, on Wednesday, Dec. 7, at 1 p.m. The Rev. David Neil will officiate.

Burial will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery.

Please go to goodwinfh.com to sign the online guestbook.