Wentworth "Wimpy" Royce Goodwin Obituary (1933 - 2024)

PITTSTON – Wentworth “Wimpy” R. Goodwin, 91, of Pittston, passed away peacefully, with loving family by his side, on Monday, November 11, 2024 at Woodlands Senior Living of Hallowell. He was born in Pittston, Maine on September 10, 1933 to Herbert T. Goodwin, Sr. and Alice E. (Allen) Goodwin. He attended schools in Pittston and Gardiner, transferring to Bridge Academy in Dresden for his junior and senior years of high school, where he played baseball and basketball, graduating in 1951. Wimpy married Kathleen “Kay” J. Lavallee, in Richmond, Maine, on June 26, 1953. After returning from their wedding trip through New Hampshire and Massachusetts, they moved into their new home, which he built, on Route 27 in Pittston. When he and Kay began their married life together, he worked as a milkman for H.P. Hood and then eventually for the State of Maine as an Investigator/Patient Advocate at Augusta Mental Health Institute (“AMHI”) where he remained until his retirement. Wimpy and Kay (or “Katie,” as he always called her), were married for 71 years and had three children together, Glenda, Royce and Robin. He was a very dedicated member of the Pittston Fire Department for nearly thirty years, and served as Fire Chief for the last ten of those years, resigning in 1985. In the past, he had also served as the town’s civil defense director and forest fire warden and was also a past member of the Pittston Fair Association. He was a skilled carpenter and in addition to building their home, he also built numerous out-buildings and decks, and completed other significant building projects as well, at times mentoring his grandsons, Brian and Eric, as they worked alongside him. He loved spending time with his family, being at camp, going out to eat, and working outdoors, especially if it involved using his Kubota. In their younger years, he and Kay enjoyed snowmobiling, square dancing and getting together with friends to play cards and games. He was an avid sports fan, and particularly liked the Patriots, Red Sox and Celtics. For many years after he and Kay retired, they spent the winter months in Florida enjoying the warm weather and the company of their many Florida relatives/friends. When his children and grandchildren were young, he enjoyed watching them participate in their activities and sporting events. Later in life, when his grandsons and their spouses had children, he was delighted to become “Great-Grampy.” He loved to interact with his great- granddaughters, Lainey, Paisley and Chloe, and they will always remember his fist-bumps and how he made them laugh. He was predeceased by his son, Royce G. Goodwin, on September 21, 2017; his parents; his mother and father-in-law, and all of his siblings and their spouses. He is survived by his devoted and loving wife, Kathleen J. Goodwin; his daughter, Glenda L. Goodwin; his son, Robin G. Goodwin and his wife, Sharon; his grandsons, Brian M. Goodwin and his wife, Bethany; and Eric M. Goodwin and his wife, Emily; and his three great-granddaughters, Lainey, Paisley and Chloe Goodwin. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, as well as many nieces, nephews and friends. He was dearly loved and will be greatly missed. The family would like to thank the staff (assisted living and memory care) at Woodlands Senior Living of Hallowell for taking such good care of him these past few years. A private memorial service will be held for immediate family members only. Arrangements and guidance are in the care of Staples Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 53 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner, Maine. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Staples Funeral Home website, www.staplesfuneralhome.com