Richard Goodwin

It is with sad hearts that we say good-bye to Richard Goodwin.  He is the middle child of Raymond Benson Goodwin and Dr. Margaret Jane Wilson of Ponoka, Alberta, formerly of Irricana, Alberta.   Richard died peacefully in his sleep after a short stay at Ponoka General Hospital. 

He will be missed by his loving wife, Diane Lola (Camrose); his children: Debra (Bryan), Garth, Larry (Bobbi), Verona (Sam) and Wayne (Heather); Diane’s children: Karen, Cheryl, Kevin, and Lori Ann; his two older sisters Jean Rose (Ponoka), Eleanor Lancaster (St. Catherines, Ontario) and two younger brothers Thomas Goodwin (Claresholm) and John Goodwin (Edmonton).  Richard has numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Debra’s girls: Amy Martin leBlanc (Mathieu) Louis, Leo and Zelica: Joni Martin and Traci Tebb (Ryan) Brooklyn, Jacob and Samuel:  Larry’s children: Anthony (Allison) Nixon and Keely, Max and Rose: and Wayne’s children:  Alyssa, Jordan, Shaelyn and Kylie Goodwin.  He will be fondly remembered by numerous nieces and nephews, neighbors and friends.

Richard was predeceased by his parents, and his first wife Lois Charlotte Goodwin.

Richard’s life was devoted to the care of the family farm.  He loved farming, and spent his entire life and especially the last few months enjoying the solitude and peacefulness of the farm northwest of Ponoka. In his younger days, Richard was an avid curler, snowmobiler, dancer and socializer.  He loved music and fishing.  He and Diane would play at dances, senior’s homes and just about anywhere someone wanted to listen. He was active in the Ferrybank School Association and president of the Ponoka Agricultural Society. He could have long discussions about the value of crop rotation, the cost of weeds in farm production and the changing nature of the family farm in Canada.  He rarely spoke a bad word about anyone and always had time to help a neighbor. He loved life and had a long rewarding one.  He died 3 days before his 90th birthday.

A Funeral Service will be held at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ponoka on Friday, January 31 at 2:00 p.m..   Donations may be made to the Red Deer Regional Cancer Centre or the Canadian Cancer Society. 

Thank so much to the Home Care Nurses, FCSS , Dr. Halse and the staff at Ponoka General Hospital and the rehab unit 35 at Red Deer Regional Hospital for their support and care.  One of his last messages to his grandson while in hospital was to “Make sure you get your prostate checked!”  He will share that with all you men out there.   

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