Obituary of Donald Leslie Goodwin

Donald (Don) Leslie Goodwin, 96, born in East Stewiacke, NS  passed away on 16th January 2019.

Don met Beth at Danforth United Church in Toronto when he spotted her in the church choir and joined it just so he could meet her. When he retired, his plans were well in hand and we recall the wallpaper of palm trees in our home...the dream of retiring in sunny Florida which he and Mom fulfilled. Those who were lucky enough to know him will recall his stories, such as running to catch the train to Truro from Stewiacke to go to school and a ‘cranky old conductor’ who one day gave Dad a helping hand onto a moving train as Dad was running beside it with a big smile on his face (Dad had that effect on people).  Another of his Father riding his horse catching up with Dad as he walked to school on a bitter Winter’s day in Stewiacke, telling him to take the horse to school and ‘don’t worry, jump off when you get there and the horse will find his way home’ which it did. Hitchhiking to Mexico by plane while on leave from the Navy in Vancouver.  Going to Broadway shows in the early 50s when living in New York while working with the Bank of Nova Scotia on Wall Street.  He was a hockey coach, an avid curler, a golfer, a music lover and he loved gardening - he could make anything grow, even in the sandy Florida soil.  Towards the end of his career he became a stockbroker for a few years just because it interested him.  Dad loved living in the Valley and was happy to return following his time at the Bank of Nova Scotia in Kentville in the 40s.

He is survived by Elizabeth, his wife of 64 years; his sister, Jean (Garth); his children, Helen, Dianne (Mitch), Pam (Bob); his grandchildren, Emily (Dan), William, Brendan, Colleen; and his great grandson, Sidney (Emily).

Don is predeceased by his brother, George; his son, David; and his grandson, Emmett.

A private funeral service will be held on Saturday, 19th January in Wolfville. Memorial donations may be made to the Brigadoon Village.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Serenity Funeral Home, Wolfville Funeral Chapel, 568 Main Street, Wolfville, B4P 1E5 (902-542-4656).