Leslie R. Goodhue

Leslie Robert Goodhue 83 of Gardner, MA - formerly of Otis, MA - passed away on March 5, 2023.

He was born March 27,1939 to Robert & Helena (Bartlett) Goodhue in Lebanon NH.

Les attended Keene High School where he ran track & cross country. In his early life & High School years, Les showed a true talent & love for artistry & he hoped to pursue this line of study. Life had different plans for him & he moved to Fitchburg MA after marrying his first wife Ann (Page) in 1958. During this time Les developed a natural knack for gardening that he carried through his lifetime.

He served as a Private in the Army reserves from 1957-1964 & was called up for active duty in Fort Campbell Kentucky during the Berlin crisis. Les worked for the US Postal Service as well as the shoe & paper factories during his first marriage.

He later moved to South Hampton MA, where he put his artistry to work as a window dresser in the liquor store industry. His new line of work required travel - it was on the back roads of New England that Les was drawn to his true calling - the world of early American antiques. He purchased & meticulously restored a 1700’s period Gambrel in the early 1970’s & opened a private antique shop attached to his colonial home. The restoration of this home was featured in a New England home magazine & was one of his most prized accomplishments. He showed an energetic & voracious interest in this exciting field & spent the remainder of his life scouring the landscape of New England for treasures to sell & furnish his numerous restored period homes. A trip to his last home in Otis MA was akin to stepping into an authentic colonial time portal. Every detail was true to the period from the hand stenciling & the furnishings to the paint colors. He took immense joy & pride in his homes - his artistic flair drifted outdoors to his beautifully landscaped flower & vegetable gardens. Les continued running throughout his life, he competed in various road races & half marathons into the late 1980s. He was a kayaking enthusiast &  enjoyed photography, fishing & boating. He lived a free wheeling life every day - following his own rules & never apologizing for it!

Les is predeceased by his sister Janice Goodhue, brother Dennis Goodhue & his parents Robert & Helena Goodhue. He is survived by two sons Mark (Brenda) Goodhue of Fitchburg, MA & Jeff (Tasia) Goodhue of Princeton, MA. He is the loving grandfather of Konstantina & Ethan Goodhue. A small memorial service will be held at a later date to be announced by the family.