Mark Lawrence Goodwin 
August 20, 1959 – December 24, 2023 

It is with deep and profound sadness we announce the passing of Mark Lawrence Goodwin on December 24, 2023, at the age of 64, quite unexpectedly, despite almost five-years of cancer treatment, from further complications due to Covid-19. Beloved partner of Jennifer Lynn Nault, Mark will be forever loved and missed. Mark will also be dearly missed by sisters Judy Glass (Stephen Glass), Susan Goodwin, and Patti Goodwin Ellis (Luke Ellis), and his brother, Stephen Goodwin. He is predeceased by his parents, Lawrence Goodwin and Gabrielle Goodwin (Levis), as well as his cherished youngest brother, Paul Goodwin. He will be fondly remembered by nieces Claire, Erin, Lua (grandniece) and nephew Sacha (Karine Briere), all of whom he adored, and by the extended Gaul (Nault) family, and his inséperable rescue sister cats, Abby and Anik. 

We are all so thankful and blessed that Mark shared his tremendous musical talent with us. From the enthusiastic age of 11, when he first picked up the guitar as a musical prodigy and all-around autodidact, his passion for music never waned. He perfected his musical talent over many years of committed playing, practice, and performance, and, significantly, by playing and surrounding himself with the very best musicians, whom he deeply loved and respected.  

As a performer, Mark was a force of nature and at his most comfortable onstage; he was a musical genius with an artists’ eye, sensitivity, and sensibility. His music (as singer, songwriter, and as a multitalented, dynamic musician who played many different instruments) is some of the most beautiful, honest, distinctive, evocative, poignant – and also hard-hitting and loud! – to be played, recorded, and produced. Mark’s electric guitar stylings: spontaneously melodic, technically naïve by design, rhythmically crunchy, and, oh yeah, loud! – landing somewhere between the backyards of his heroes Link Wray and Chris Spedding.

With his different bands, Mark put out many fine recordings (to name just a few projects/bands: The Magic Binmen, Second Thoughts, L’il Buck, Lazarus Moan, Ffud, Broken Muse, and the soon-to-be-released first album by Punching Weasel). Mark produced more for other artists, mentoring, encouraging, and collaborating with countless musicians, singers, and songwriters over his 50+ years of playing and performing. Montreal – and, indeed, Canada – plus Mark’s loyal and steadfast fans, have lost an incredible musical talent. 

Mark was a truly loyal and committed friend and bandmate. He deeply mourned the passing of dear friends, such as musician Mark Louis de Roux (1961-2005), and often sought to preserve their memory in his writing. Friends might remark that Mark was always himself and did not waver from his vision. Singer/writer/musician Orit Shimoni reminisces, “his laugh, his laugh – God what a great feeling it always was to make that man laugh – his shoes, his ridiculous leopard shoes – and his painted guitar.” One of his closest friends, drummer Robert D. Harris, has had this to say: “Mark and I were the best of friends and musical cohorts for 30 years. He never once told me what to play as there was a trust. That’s rare with a songwriter. He was the most talented, funny, serious, sweet, nasty #$%^ I’ve ever known. Every rehearsal and gig ended with a hug and an ‘I love you’ without the macho reaffirming ‘Man!’ at the end!” (Billboard Canada).
 
Mark could capture a fleeting moment or feeling in his writing, creating an emotional snapshot in time that was unlike any other because it was his and his alone. His lyrics live on, along with the entirety of his musical genius. It would take someone of Mark’s brilliance to truly capture in writing his beautiful, inimitable spirit and character – we are heartbroken that the person who would most exquisitely honour and commemorate others by capturing what is hardest to express is no longer with us. 

Thanks to Mark’s hard work ethic, there are splashes of colour beautifying homes throughout Montreal (and also the tiny chalet he shared with Jennifer – near his favourite voisins – in the Upper Laurentians, having painted the chalet what he called “Goodwin green”). Though Mark might have been quick to humbly downplay his exemplary work ethic, and to clarify that he operated his long-successful home painting business only to support his musical endeavours, it remains true that everywhere Mark placed his energies, humour, and close attention to detail, including his own photography, astute and acerbic online musings, and curated online art/film/literature selections, there are reverberations and traces of beauty.  
To be so loved. Our dear Mark Goodwin, may he rest in peace. 

Family and friends are invited to attend Kane & Fetterly Funeral Home (5301 Decarie Boulevard, Montreal, Quebec, H3W 3C4, ph. 514-481-5301) for a celebration of Mark’s life on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm. Valets will be available at the parking's entrance on Isabella. 

There will be a reception afterwards at another venue in Montreal. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Canadian Cancer Society would be gratefully received. A more intimate celebration of life will take place at Mount Royal Cemetery in Montreal at a later date. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.kanefetterly.qc.ca/en/funeral.php