Essex - John Arthur Goodwin, 77, of Essex, Massachusetts, passed away on Monday, March 9, after a lengthy illness.

John was born on October 1, 1948, in Ipswich, Massachusetts, to Earl and Betty Goodwin. He spent his childhood in Essex, where he learned his work ethic by digging clams and helping his best friends, the Hardy family, on their chicken farm. His favorite story to tell about growing up was pitching against the great Tony C in high school after he had been drafted by the Red Sox.

John met and soon married the love of his life, Ann. Together they raised four children and chased them through all of life's adventures. He coached Little League baseball and will be remembered as the man who piled his entire team into the back of his pickup truck for a ride to Dairy Queen after a win. He was always his kids' biggest fan and could be heard cheering them on from every gym, hockey rink, sideline, and horse show. His summers were spent on the shores of Crystal Lake in Maine, playing cards with Boompa. He was famous for talking across the table and singing "Up a Lazy River" when he was winning.

John was a master plumber and proud 55-year member of the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Local 138, now Local 12. He spent much of his career working on the Big Dig in Boston. On the weekends, he would do small odd jobs, often recruiting his sidekick, Jacky Wacky, to help him. There was no friend or neighbor to whom he didn't offer his help.

John's favorite role began when he became Grumpy Grampy and CEO of Caveman Construction. He taught Rece, McKayla, Alex, and Sam—the next generation of gophers—that "if it doesn't fit, force it," how to use a monkey wrench, and that family always comes first. John and Ann chased their grandkids across the country, supporting them in rinks, at ballfields, on the sidelines, at swim meets, and in Sea Cadets.

John is survived by his wife of 55 years, Ann; his daughter Emily and her husband, Dexter; his daughter Nancy and her husband, McLean; his son Jonathan; and his daughter Janet and her partner, Brandie. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Rece, McKayla, Alex, and Sam; his sister, Marion Quigley, and her husband, Jack; his nephew Jay Quigley and his wife, Amber; and his niece Wendy Quigley, along with many other close family members and friends. John was predeceased by his parents, Earl and Betty.

A celebration of life will be held at Our Lady of Hope Parish in Ipswich, Massachusetts, later this spring. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Breakthrough T1D, the Dementia Society of America, or the Alzheimer's Association.