BREWER and SUN CITY CENTER, Fla. - Howard M. Goodwin, 96, died peacefully on September 18, 2013, in the South Bay Hospital, Sun City Center, Florida. He had been a resident of Sun City Center since 1985, and previously lived in Brewer, Maine (1917-1963) and Charlotte, North Carolina (1963-1985).

He was predeceased in 1996 by his beloved wife of 56 years, Nancy (Colcord). He is survived by their two sons, Browne (Diane) of Plainfield, Illinois, and Thomas (Rosemarie) of Lewiston, Maine, and by three grandchildren (Timothy, Pamela, and Daniel) and three great-grandchildren. Howard was also predeceased by two brothers, Robert B. Goodwin (Newton, New Jersey) and Donald L. Goodwin (Harrisonburg, Virginia), and two sisters, Mildred Wilbur (Alexandria, Virginia) and Barbara Abusamra (Kingston, Rhode Island). He was the oldest of the five siblings, and his passing represents the end of the "greatest generation" in his family.

Howard was born in Brewer, Maine, to Galen and Ethel (Mayo) Goodwin. He graduated from the University of Maine in 1938 with a degree in engineering (he was Valedictorian of the Class of 1938), and earned a Masters Degree from the University in 1939. He was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, and of honorary fraternities Tau Beta Pi and Phi Kappa Phi. He subsequently joined his father's General Agency of the National Life Insurance Company of Vermont; he remained an Agent and General Agent of National Life in Bangor, Maine, until 1963, and in Charlotte, North Carolina from 1963 to 1985. He served in the United States Army toward the end of World War II; he was honorably discharged with the rank of Administrative Staff Sergeant in 1946.

Howard was a life-long active member of the Methodist Church, including the First Methodist Church in Brewer, Maine, and later the Sun City Center United Methodist Church. He was an accomplished musician, and for many years served as organist in several Bangor-area churches. He was a member of the choir in the SCC Methodist Church.

Howard was an avid golfer, having taken up the game (with Nancy) when he was about 40. He was a member of the Penobscot Valley (Maine) Country Club, and of the Kings Point (Florida) Men's Golf League. He was a member and a Past President of the Bangor-Brewer Lions Club.

Howard lived a life of service willingly extended to others. He was most proud of his service as a driver for Sun City Samaritan Services, and as a First Responder for the Sun City Center Emergency Squad from 1997 to 2003. Contributions in his name may be made to the SCC Emergency Squad, Sun City Center, FL 33573.