Alden C. Goodnow

Alden Church Goodnow, Jr., 95, of Danvers, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Thursday, May 21, 2020. He was the beloved husband of Lois (Booth) Goodnow, with whom he shared sixty-nine years of marriage. Alden was born in Peabody on July 10, 1924 to the late Alden C. and Mildred (Creese) Goodnow. He was raised and educated in Danvers and was a graduate of Holten High School, Class of 1942. Alden attended Brown University but interrupted his studies to serve in the Pacific Theatre in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After returning from the war, he completed his baccalaureate studies and met Lois! He went on to earn an MBA from the Harvard Business School. After marrying in 1951, Alden began his career in Manhattan at Shell Oil. He and Lois then returned to Danvers, where he established Goodnow Real Estate & Insurance Agency, which he owned and operated for over 50 years. Alden was a member of the Danvers Rotary Club. He and Lois were both active members of the Danvers Historical Society, where he also served as president. He was a longtime member of the Maple Street Congregational Church, where he served as a trustee and as church moderator. He sang in the choir for many years and also formed a barbershop quartet with some of the choir members. He and Lois found many of their lasting friendships in the church and especially enjoyed the fellowship and support of their church family in recent years. He was an avid Red Sox fan. Alden was so proud to be the “Hats off for Heroes“ Honoree at Fenway Park in September 2018 for his service in WW II. He was an avid train lover and loved sharing his model trains with his grandchildren. He also built and collected many ship models over the years. More than anything else, Alden was dedicated to his family and especially enjoyed family gatherings. He was the ultimate Santa who loved shopping and decorating for the holidays. He and Lois traveled the world, but his favorite vacations were those shared with the whole family. In addition to his wife, he leaves three daughters, Marty Alden Goodnow of Eden Prairie, MN, Nancy Peters and her husband Randy of Holden , ME, and Amy Goodnow and her husband Glen Backe of Danvers, a son-in-law, Thomas Hanson of Orrington, ME, his grandchildren, Sarah Hanson, Emily Hanson, Christopher Alden Peters, Katherine Peters, Laura Van Meerbeke and David Peters, his great-grandchildren, Tristan, Malachy Alden, Ella, Chase Alden, Grace, Riley, Eva, Natalie and Luca Alden, his sister-in-law, Sue, and his niece, Judy. He was predeceased by his beloved daughter, Anne Goodnow Hanson, and his brother, Stuart Goodnow. Graveside Services will be held privately. A memorial service for family and friends will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Alden’s name may be made to Maple Street Congregational Church, 90 Maple St., Danvers, MA 01923.