David C. Goodwin, a lifelong Melrose resident and retired Melrose Firefighter, died peacefully on August 12, 2025, at the age of 84. He was born on August 27, 1940, to the late Catherine (Jackson) and Cortland Goodwin. He was raised in Melrose and graduated from Melrose High School. After high school, David enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and remained a proud Marine his whole life.

David joined the Melrose Fire Department after serving with the Marines and remained with the department for 39 years driving Engine 2. He was best known for his great sense of humor and was the master of the "one liner." You never really knew what was going to come out of his mouth, but making his friends and family laugh was one of his favorite things to do, and he'd want anyone reading this to think of him and have a laugh.

David was a family man, a dedicated husband and father. He loved spending time with his family at their camp at Thompson Lake in Maine, where you could find him chopping wood, fishing or fixing small engines. He always liked to stay active and loved the outdoors.

David was the devoted husband of Rita Ann (Fetner) Goodwin of Melrose. Beloved father of Heather Marie Northrup & her husband Robert Charles Jr. of Dracut, and Elizabeth Anne Goodwin & her wife Donnelle Milley of Melrose. Proud grandfather of Robert Charles Northrup III and John David Northrup. Brother of Dianne Goodwin of Arlington and brother of Barry Jensen. Brother-in-law of Guy Richard Fetner of Daytona Beach Shores, FL. Survived by his close friends Peggy Young and Debra Fuller, and predeceased by his close friends Bruce Young and John Fuller.

Visiting Hours will be held on Sunday, August 17th, 2025, from 3:00-6:00 PM at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St., Melrose. A Celebration of Life will be held at 6:00PM to conclude the visitation. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Northeast Animal Shelter, 347 Highland Ave., Salem, MA 01970.