Vale: Denis Goodwin

Denis Goodwin completed his senior secondary schooling as a boarder at St Virgil’s College. He hailed from the north West Coast.

On leaving school he entered the Cistertian Monastery at Tarrawarra in Victoria for a short period.

He returned to Tasmania and gained a cadetship in journalism with the Advocate newspaper. His career in journalism took him to Bundaberg, Canberra and Wollongong (where he worked for the Illawarra Mercury).

Denis was married and had four children – three sons and a daughter. 

He spent the last twenty five years of his life living at Barrack Heights near Wollongong and became a near neighbour of Andrew Tuddenham (who worked at St Virgil’s College as a Christian Brother 1968-74).

Denis maintained his interest in spirituality, theology and philosophy and was a regular member of All Saints Catholic Church community at Shellharbour, assisting where he could. 

Denis had a love for jazz and played the drums. 

In his retirement he wrote and had published a novel entitled ‘No Time to Stargaze’.

He maintained his sharp mind, his wordsmithing skill and humorous nature to the very end and enjoyed a well-reasoned discussion.

(Many thanks to Andrew for alerting me to Denis’ passing and providing the preceding information. Ed.)