James Sylvester Goodwin ’35

Jim died at the Medical Center at Princeton June 9, 2002, five days after he was stricken with a heart attack at the Reunions P-rade.

Classmates were desolate. But Margaret W. "Peg" Goodwin, his bride of almost 60 years, was philosophical about her loss. Princeton was "the love of Jim's life," she wrote to a classmate. "It was where he wanted to be."

As an undergraduate, Jim played varsity tennis, sang with the Glee Club, was secretary of the Gateway Club, and majored in politics. But far more important to him were the many college friendships he made.

He was always seen at Reunions before World War II; thereafter, while he was building an insurance practice in northern New England and the Goodwin children were arriving in rapid sequence, his Princeton trips became less frequent. By 1960 ('35's 25th reunion), he promised that would change. He began to appear at more class events "and every time I am energized by old class friendships," he said.

His friends always were, too. "We talked for hours and hours at the hospital before he died," said Tom Flynn, then class president. "Jim's joy at being back in Princeton was indescribable."

A widower when he died, Jim was survived by sons James G. Jr. and Thomas W.; daughters Mary, Joan, Katherine, and Anna; 10 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

The Class of 1935