George Whitman Goodspeed Jr.

Junior, as referred to by his family, was the son of the late George W. Goodspeed, Sr. and Dorothy E. (Kendrick) Goodspeed. He was born at the family home on Seaview Street in Chatham on December 16, 1938. George happily considered himself a life-long resident of Chatham. He is survived by his beloved wife, Linda May (Bearse) Goodspeed of South Chatham, and their son, George W. Goodspeed III of Crested Butte, Colorado. George is also survived by his niece, Donna Lumpkin of Chatham, cousins Roxane Carnes of Chatham, Karen Goggins of Harwich, and Andrew F. Eldridge of Yarmouthport and Florida. He had several nieces and nephews, all of whom he loved and was proud of.

George is predeceased by his sister, Gladys Lumpkin, his brother, Benjamin K. Goodspeed, and his nephew, Benjamin C. Goodspeed, all of whom called Chatham home.

George graduated from Chatham High School, class of 1956, and completed a degree at Worcester Junior College. He served with the United States Coast Guard Reserves, notable serving during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He worked as a land surveyor for the Schofield Brothers in Orleans. Around 1974, George and Linda acquired the Forest Beach Motel and specifically, Bearse Reality. During this time, George served as a volunteer firefighter for the Chatham Fire and Rescue Department, eventually retiring with the rank of Captain. George loved his hometown and felt great enjoyment in his roll as a public servant for the Town of Chatham. Among his rolls, he was a member of the Board of Health, and Chairman of the Cemetery Commission. His work followed wherever he went and he was quick to share a story or two about the history and the people of Chatham.

Following his native roots, George “originally started with the (Chatham) Band at the ripe old age of 12, marching with the bass drum and playing cymbals.” He worked without fail setting-­up and breaking-­down the Friday night summer concerts; following in his father’s steps, he became a member of the Band joining his brother and nephew, playing the saxophone. He eventually became the manager of the Band, and held that position for many years.

George attended St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church of Chatham, where he enjoyed being in service to the church and the congregation, serving as usher and a member of the vestry. He was also a dedicated brother of St. Martin’s Masonic Lodge.

A Memorial Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 4, 2022 from 9 am -­ 11 am at Nickerson Funeral Home, 87 Crowell Road, Chatham. Memorial Service will follow at 11 am, concluding with a Masonic Funeral Service and burial at Seaside Cemetery, Chatham. Lodge to open at 11:30 AM at Seaside Cemetery, St. Martin’s Lodge A.F. & A.M.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Chatham Fire Department, St. Martin’s Masonic Lodge, or to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. For online condolences, please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com.