GOODWIN, Willard Neale
CPO 1 Willard Neale Goodwin C.D. RCN retired, died at home on February 29, 2016. He was born September 25, 1924 in Lower Argyle, Yarmouth Co, NS. The son of James Ephraim and Ora Mae (Kenney) Goodwin, he joined the navy on his eighteenth birthday and was serving on the mine sweeper HMCS Midas while they cleared the channel for the US ships landing at Juno Beach on D Day. Other ships he served on include HMCS la Hulloise, HMCS Warrior, and HMCS Magnificent. He instructed at the Cornwallis training base before joining HMCS Quebec. He taught at the Canadian Forces Naval Engineering School (CFNES) Damage Control (DC) Division in Purcell’s Cove until he retired in 1965. Upon retiring, he, his wife-partner and their four daughters moved to the Valley where they built and operated a very successful Dairy Queen in New Minas. He was a long time member of Ken-Wo Golf and Country Club, Glooscap Curling Club and the Kentville GYRO friendship club. In recent years he enjoyed his last project watching the machinery at work on the construction of their subdivision, Deer Haven. The last remaining member of his immediate family, he was predeceased by brothers, Alvin, Arnold, Lloyd, George, Clarence and Howard, and sisters, Edith, Barbara and Ruth, as well as his grandson, Benjamin Wilson. Surviving are his wife, Alice (Dawson) Goodwin; daughters, Gwen (Greg) Kenny of New Minas; Mae (Eric) Goodwin-Wilson of Queensland, Australia; Carol, at home; and Adella (Scott) Edwards of Queensland, Australia; grandchildren, Shaun Kenny, Jill Foley, Theresa Wilson, and Patrick Edwards; as well as many nieces and nephews. Cremation has taken place and there will be no visitation by request. The funeral service and reception was held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, March 6, 2016 in the White Family Funeral Home, Kentville, Reverend John Andrew officiating. Burial will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory may be made to the Kings County S.P.C.A. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Kentville. On-line inquiries may be directed to www.whitefamilyfuneralhome.com.