SANFORD — James Adelbert Goodwin, III, 65, of Sanford, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 28, at his residence in Sanford.
He was born on Dec. 14, 1952, along with his twin sister, to James Jr. and Patricia (Callahan) Goodwin, in Boston, Massachusetts. He lived in the Boston area until he was 13 and the family moved to Bellingham, Massachusetts, where he graduated high school.
James married Helen Kell in 1972 and together they raised three children. In 1986, the family moved to Maine and has enjoyed living in Sanford since.
James was a self taught engineer for machinery tools. He was self employed, worked for Hitachi Seiki, and most recently at Methods Machine Tools in Sudbury, where he retired from last year. He enjoyed his work and his job. He was able to work in the same office with both of his sons, and became a beloved part of the company. He was lovingly referred to as “Papa Jim” and everyone shared in making sure his health and well being were cared for. He was a brilliant man, who wrote programs for machines and spent much time training other engineers.
James worked in Massachusetts during the week and made his “second home” at a Holliday Inn, where he made such an impact that they dedicated a bench to him upon his retirement.
He liked to stay busy and had several hobbies. He was a music lover, (his favorite band being the Beatles), he liked Christmas, genealogy, playing guitar, restoring musical instruments, Corvettes, and was a huge Red Sox fan.
Most important, he was a family man and loved spending time with them. He was also generous in opening his home to his children’s friends and to animals. He had rescued a yellow lab, Sammy, who he was especially fond of and his favorite place was sitting on the porch with her.
“But of all these friends and lovers
There is no one compares with you
And these memories lose their meaning
When I think of love as something new
Though I know I’ll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I’ll often stop and think about them
In my life I love you more” The Beatles
He is predeceased by his parents and his four legged friend, Sammy.
Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Helen Goodwin, of Sanford, a son, James Goodwin, IV and his fiancé Tricia Pence, of Webster, Massachusetts, a son Daniel Goodwin and his wife Tara Marie, of Marlborough, Massachusetts, a daughter, Brenda Goodwin and her fiancé, Will Martin of North Waterboro, a grandson, Dylan Martin, a sister, Helen Russell, his twin sister, Janice Harris, brothers, Allen Goodwin, Lawrence Goodwin, Daniel Goodwin and Kenneth Goodwin, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A time of visitation will be held on Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main St., Springvale. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 5 at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish Holy Family Church, 66 North Avenue, Sanford, with a burial following at Oakdale Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of Black Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, Sanford-Springvale.
To leave a message of condolence visit www.blackfuneralhomes.com
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