Don Goodwin

Donald W. Goodwin, 77, of Naples, FL, peacefully passed away surrounded by his loving family on October 5, 2012 after living with interstitial pulmonary fibrosis since 2010. In addition to being an entrepreneur in the telecommunications industry, Don was known to his family and friends as an active man with a great sense of humor and a big heart. After he retired from his own successful start-up, LMR International, Inc., he and his wife, Louise, travelled the world, spent countless hours protecting the rights of foster children in their temporary homes, and enjoyed time with family and friends. Up until the disease compromised his ability to breathe, Don could be found biking any where between Bonita Springs and Port Royal.

Don was born the fifth of nine children on May 10, 1935 to Mary Ellen and Joseph Goodwin in Wooster, MA. When he was five, his family moved to the Philadelphia, PA area and settled in the suburb of Springfield. He attended Catholic schools and went to LaSalle University in Philadelphia, from which he graduated with a B.A. in Chemistry in 1958. He completed one year at Jefferson Medical School, but then changed career paths when he landed a sales position with Parke-Davis Pharmeceuticals. He served in the U.S. Army at Fort Knox in 1958.

Later, Don became interested in the telecommunications field and, after working at RCA and Motorola, had the opportunity to create his own niche company in the wireless industry called LMR International, Inc. He was considered an expert in the land mobile radio industry and was particularly interested in the public safety aspect of it, working with the federal and state governments.

Don married Louise Greene on August 20, 1960 in Springfield, PA. They have three children: Donald, Jr., of Washington, DC., Linda, of Evanston, IL and Karen, of Glen Ellyn, IL. The family lived in Potomac, Maryland.

After retiring, Don and Louise settled in Naples, Florida. They enjoyed boating and golfing. He and Louise were Guardians ad Litem through Lee and Collier County for five years, advocating for foster children with the state. A lifelong Catholic, he enjoyed attending retreats and strengthening his faith. He loved to travel with Louise, and especially cherished their trips to Europe, China, Central America and Israel. He was a well-loved grandfather and enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s plays, sporting events, religious celebrations and graduations. His fascination with technology never waned, and he could be found playing “Words with Friends” with his grandchildren on a regular basis.

Don is survived by his loving wife, Louise, son Donald (Felice) and daughters Linda (Matthew) and Karen (Kevin), and grandchildren Audrey, Ben, Oliver, Jeremy, Elle, Rebecca, Abigail, Emily, Annabel, Olivia, and Grace.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, October 11, 2012 from 5 to 7:30pm at Hodges Funeral Home at Naples Memorial Gardens. A special time of remembrance will begin at 7:30pm. A mass of Christian burial will be offered at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 625 111th Ave., Naples, FL. on Friday, October 12, 2012 at 10am. Interment to follow at Naples Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made in Don's name to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 811 W. Evergreen Ave., Suite 204, Chicago, IL 60642, www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org.