Thomas A. Goodwin

Thomas A. Goodwin
"Just a Small Town Cat from Manhattan"
Age 80 passed away peacefully Monday, December 15. Survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Elizabeth C. (nee Branchaw) Goodwin, his four children, Mark (Dolly) Goodwin, Susan (Larry) Coyle, Kathleen (James) Mahoney, David (Kerry) Goodwin. Tom was a devoted grandfather to ten grandchildren, Sean, Thomas and Colleen Coyle, Declan McInerney, Kaylin and Haydn Mahoney and Delaney, Cameron, Ava and Nolan Goodwin. Also survived by his sister Phyllis Goodwin, Lawrence (Cheryl) Goodwin of Manhattan and sister-in-law, Jodie Facchina as well as many neices and nephews. Preceded in death by his father, Ralph Henry Goodwin and mother, Mildred (nee Downs) Goodwin and his brother, Gordon Goodwin. Born in Manhattan, IL on March 20, 1934, Tom graduated from Joliet Township High School in 1952. Then served in the Marine Corp as a member of the Drum and Bugle Corp. where he traveled to Hawaii and Japan representing the United States from 1953-1956. After returning home, Thomas went on to Joliet Junior College then llinois Weslyan University where he earned a degree in Music Education. He also received a Master's Degree from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago. After marrying Elizabeth (Betty) Branchaw in 1959, he devoted his talents and love of music as Band Director of the New Lenox Grade School Bands for 31 years. His acheivements included the JTHS Band Alumni Association Outstanding Acheivement and Distinquished Service Award, the Chicagoland Outstanding Music Educator Award and the Illinois Grade School Music Association Cloyd Myers Memorial Award for Excellence in Music Education. Thomas was a member of the American Legion Band, Dixieland All-Stars, Dellwood Park Band, Bi-Centenniel Park Band, and Bill Edwards Trio. Visitation will be held from 3:00 pm – 9:00 pm on Wednesday, December, 17 at Kurtz Memorial Chapel, 102 E. Francis Road, New Lenox. A Mass will be held at 10:00 am on Thursday, December, 18 at St. Mary Magdalene Church 127 S. Briggs Street, Joliet. Interment SS Cyril & Methodius Cemetery, Joliet. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Thomas Goodwin's name to the Alzheimer's Association.