Arthur F. Goodwin, 85

Arthur Fairbanks Goodwin, 85, of Williston, VT, passed away on Thursday, February 25, 2016. He was born September 12, 1930 in Springfield, VT, the oldest of 6 children, to Ernest and Louise (Fairbanks) Goodwin. He grew up in Springfield and Hyde Park, Vermont and Portland, Maine. Art achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, graduated from Wentworth Institute, and attended many classes at UVM; one course shy of obtaining his degree when he was severely injured from a fall. Art was a corporal in the United States Army. He served in both Korea and Japan. He was an Electrical Engineer for General Electric for 35 years, retiring in 1988. Art was an outdoor enthusiast who loved hunting and fishing. He developed a tree farm on his beloved acreage near the Green River Reservoir. He became a member of the Vermont Woodlands Association and received the “Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year “ award in 1995 and 2004.

Art leaves behind his wife, Jean Twiss, after 62 years of marriage. He also leaves his 4 children: his daughters, Sharon and her husband Wayne Beebe, of Essex Junction, Vermont, and their children Eileen and Andrew Beebe; and Diane and her husband David Goulet, of Milton, Vermont, and their children Michelle and Matthew Goulet. His sons, Jeffrey and his wife Lisa, of Jericho, Vermont, and their children Christopher, Megan, and Justin; and Stephen and his wife Debra, of Montpelier, Vermont, and their child Ashley Zimmerman and her husband Ty. He also leaves 2 great-grandchildren, Adelyn and Chesni Zimmerman. He is survived by his siblings; Mary Jean Macy and her husband Robert, of St Albans, Vermont; Barbara Putnam and her husband David, of Green Valley, Arizona; David Goodwin of Hyde Park, Vermont; Thomas F Goodwin and his wife Janet, of Milton, Vermont; and Rob Goodwin and his wife Cecile, of Williston, Vermont. Also left behind are his sister-in-law Shirley Perkins, of Dummerston, Vermont and brother-in-law Lee Twiss, of Reading, Massachusetts. He was predeceased by his parents and sister-in-laws, Ruth Twiss and Eloise Goodwin; and brother-in law James Perkins; and his beloved dog,Rachel. He also is survived numerous nieces and nephews. He enjoyed going to Cardiac Rehabilitation and camaraderie he experienced while there. The family wishes to thank all of his great caregivers, especially, Cathy Smith-Muir RN, Dr Peter Gunther, Dr Joseph Winget and Nancy Strong NP. He will be greatly missed by his numerous friends and family.

Arrangement are in care of AW Rich Funeral Home, Essex Chapel. The family invites you to share your memories and condolences by visiting www.awrfh.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Art’s memory to the Williston Rescue. Visiting hours will be held Sunday, March 13, 2016 from 2-4 PM at AW Rich Funeral Home. A family graveside memorial service and burial will be held on Earth Day, April 22, 2016 at the Jedediah Cemetery in Hyde Park, Vermont.

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James A. Soucy, 64

James A. Soucy, 64, of North Springfield, husband of Jill E. Markert, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday morning, February 9, 2016, at Springfield Hospital. He was born July 18, 1951, to Harold A. and Anna Marie (Klett) Soucy in Fort Worth, Texas. After graduating from Lamar High School in Houston, Texas, James earned a BA in history from Baylor University, followed by a master’s degree in sports fitness.

He served as a consultant at the White Sands Proving Ground in New Mexico before returning to Texas to earn a BS in electrical engineering at the University of Texas at Austin, after which he accepted a position as a semiconductor equipment engineer at Sematech. James loved to work with his hands. He could fix almost anything from crew shells to old houses to semiconductor equipment.

He met the love of his life, Jill Markert, while they were maintaining racing shells together at the Austin Rowing Club. The couple married in Springfield on July 24, 1997 and moved to Springfield in August 2006. James was happy to leave behind the big-city bustle of Austin for a quieter small-town life in Vermont. He fit himself right into the Springfield community, volunteering at the Springfield Humane Society and the Springfield Warming Shelter. He was a member of the Springfield Budget Committee and the North School Preservation Society. He was also a friend of the First Congregational Church and a member of the church book group. In his younger days, James was an avid cyclist and an active member of the Austin Rowing Club. Later, he was a devoted dog owner who enjoyed bringing his Labradors to run in one of the many natural open spaces in Springfield.

James was a beloved uncle to many nieces and nephews whom he nurtured and encouraged with his integrity and deeply thoughtful and quiet manner. He is survived by his wife, Jill; his sister, Linda Collins of Upland, California, and her daughter, Christa Collins of Fullerton, California; as well as numerous Markert relatives.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, at the First Congregational Church UCC on Main Street in Springfield with Reverend Jean O’Bresky, pastor, officiating. A reception at the church will follow. Contributions may be made in his memory to the Springfield Warming Shelter, P.O. Box 243, North Springfield, VT 05150; the Springfield Humane Society, 401 Skitchewaug Trail, Springfield, VT 05156; the North School Preservation Society, 2087 Reservoir Road, Perkinsville, VT 05151; or to a charity of one’s choice. Davis Memorial Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.

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