IN MEMORIAM:  Rev. George Goodwin, 84;

Pastor In NY, Vt.; Ran Popular ‘Tent Meeting’

EAST WORCESTER – The Rev. Dr. George I. Goodwin, Jr. (aka “Rev”), 84, whose annual “Tent Meetings” in Pennsylvania drew hundreds of participants, has gone to be with the Lord on Aug. 1, 2019.

Dr. Goodwin was born on March 4, 1935, in Newburgh, the son of the late Rev. George Goodwin Sr., and Emma B. (Jones) Goodwin.

He was predeceased by his parents; a brother, Harold, and four sisters, Rilla Mae Goodwin of Newburgh, Sally Borst of Longmont, Colo., Diane Marendo of Cold Springs, and Carolyn Sayre of Woodland, Calif.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Janet (Mack), and their four sons, George III and Richard of East Worcester, Stephen and wife, Justine (Naples) of Leland, N.C.; Paul and wife, Sherri (Beerse) of Manakin Sabot, Va.; six granddaughters, several nieces and nephews; a brother, J. Dudley of Hopewell Junction,  and a sister, Ellen Young of Binghamton.

Dr. Goodwin was a graduate of Hancock Central School, Class of 1954. He furthered his education at SUNY Fredonia, The University of Vermont, Johnson State Teachers College in Vermont, and Kassel Conservatory of Music in Germany.

Dr. Goodwin served seven years in the Army Security Agency in the European and Far East Theaters. George lived in Japan for two years while serving and he and his wife Janet enjoyed two years together in Kassel Germany during his service.

Returning to the U.S., he received his bachelor’s degree from Berean Christian College in Kansas City, Kans., a Master of Theology and a Doctor of Ministry Degrees from Berean Graduate School of Divinity in San Francisco.

Dr. Goodwin served in churches in the New York and Troy Conferences of the United Methodist Church, three churches near Westford, Vt., The United Methodist Church of Treadwell, The Second Baptist Church of Worcester. and Gilchrist United Presbyterian Church of Doonan’s Corners, Delaware County, retiring in 2008.

For 30 years he held a “Tent Meeting” at the Nittany Antique Machinery Association Fall gathering at Centre Hall, Pa. The tent meeting began with a congregation of 60 and within four years the congregation had grown into the hundreds. By the end of the ministry a congregation of five hundred plus was the norm.

He was an avid reader, talented photographer, gun, antique and art collector as well as a published author. He also collected and greatly enjoyed antique cars, trucks, farm tractors and other farm equipment.

George’s wife and sons were the joy and high light of his life.

George had an amazing sense of humor that always kept people laughing. His big personality and stories of life experiences will be greatly missed by family and friends.

George asked that we have a private family service on the farm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the East Worcester Fire House and Emergency Squad, Worcester Fire House and Emergency Squad, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.