Everett Chapman Goodwin, 87, died April 27, 2024, in Orange Park, Fla., where he happily lived for nine years at the Moosehaven Retirement Community. The son of Everett Safford and Amelia Leslie (Peach) Goodwin, he was also predeceased by brothers Raymond Howard Remick and Fred Peach Goodwin.
Born in Marblehead, a proud descendant of its first settlers, he attended Marblehead schools before entering the U.S Coast Guard in 1954. He served on the Cutter Unimak with brother Fred, followed by two years of hazardous, sea story worthy duty on the Nantucket Lightship. He was discharged from his last tour at Hampton, N.H., lifeboat station in 1959.
His cooking career began at age 11, working for Great Uncle Clint Adams’ takeout restaurant at the Fort Sewall turnaround. After discharge, he used his exit pay to purchase needed equipment to open Maddie’s Sail Loft kitchen, working there for two years. Asked to help open for the season for a week or two, Goodwin soon became general manager at the Eastern Yacht Club, remaining for 14 years. He was a loyal Mason, Shriner, life member of the New England Veterans Firemens Association and Gerry 5, serving as 1966 board chair, as well as on two building committees. His Friday or Saturday night feeds at the Gerry served unimaginable quantities of delicious fried shrimp and haddock. Thousands of volunteer hours were spent teaching and feeding folks. He served on the board of directors for the Gerry 5 from 1969-1979 and was chairman of the Marblehead Muster Committee, which planned grand parades for the country’s 1976 and town’s 1979 birthdays. He was a member and 1967 board president of the Market Squares Association.
He and his brother Fred purchased Barnegat Seafoods at Little Harbor sometime in 1976. Sadly, their dreams of expansion on the North Shore were cut short by the Blizzard of ’78. It was a loss with no return.
A move to Connecticut meant returning to his vocation as the executive chef at the Farmington Country Club. After moving to New Smyrna Beach, Fla., in 1985 and while serving as executive chef at the Conch House in St. Augustine, Goodwin challenged the owner, famous for his conch chowder, to a chowder contest with other restaurants invited to participate. lt continues to be a top fundraiser for Fla. Shrine hospitals.
The Southern Volusia County Chowder Contest, which he also began in New Smyrna Beach 28 years ago and continues, has raised over $200,000 for the Fla. Sheriff’s Youth Ranch, which houses and educates children found living on the streets.
Goodwin was invited to join the local New Smyrna Beach Moose lodge, serving twice as governor. During many years as administrator he encouraged members to raise funds in order to enlarge the lodge for family and public use and functions, support Moose Charities, Moosehaven, and Mooseheart, a permanent home for children in need. After serving at local, district, and national levels he was raised to the highest degree as a Moose Pilgrim for his years of meritorious service.
Invited to work as an auditor by Moose International allowed him to travel throughout Ohio, Illinois, and Michigan resolving problems and improving systems. It was a new role he truly enjoyed. He often noted large well-appointed Moose lodges with significant memberships, yet unused kitchens. Unable to resist, he volunteered to teach, organize, and share recipes; especially his famous fried shrimp. Moose “Saturday Night Feeds” quickly became fully attended events.
While living at Moosehaven, never one to sit still (unless it’s for a cribbage game), Goodwin quickly saw a need. As one of 60 veterans he received permission to form monthly meetings, plan trips, and develop a proper Memorial Day Service. They created a Veterans Museum of memorabilia which also continues to be a vital part of Moosehaven. Writing as “The Bard of Moosehaven,” he delighted in sharing, online, unique memories of his Marblehead in story and verse.
Goodwin’s beliefs in responding to a need, sharing strengths and time, protecting the vulnerable, appreciating life, and his notorious “Uncle Bub mystery rides,” are a legacy his family will remember and cherish.
He is survived by brother Leslie Adams Goodwin (Margaret), sister Joan Doliber Cutler, eight deeply loved nieces and nephews, many great and great-great nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be held on Monday, June 17, at the Veterans Lot in Waterside Cemetery at 11 a.m. A gathering to celebrate his life will follow at the Gerry 5 VFA, 210 Beacon St., Marblehead.
Memorial donations may be made to moosecharities.org or a charity of your choice.
