Obituary – Alan Edward Goodwin

After a long illness that he bore with fortitude, Alan Edward Goodwin passed away on 23 December at St David’s Hospice in Llandudno.

Born on 16 December 1937, he began his coaching career working for his father and grandfather at York Motors in Manchester and in 1976 established Goodwins Coaches with his late wife, Carol. He was subsequently joined in the venture by his son Geoff and in 1995 by his grandson, Wesley and together they developed it into the successful bus and coach operation it is today. Always a colourful character, my favourite story about him is of the time he was repainting a coach on Blackpool promenade and caught out for washing his paintbrushes in the horse trough.

The funeral is to be held on Saturday 10 January at 10:00 at Manchester Crematorium, Barlow Moor Road, Chorlton, Manchester M21 7GZ and afterwards at the Amblehurst Hotel, 44 Washway Road, Sale, M33 7QZ. Before the ceremony takes place, his family are taking Alan for a final drive from the depot on the Lyntown Trading Estate in Eccles. Between seven and ten coaches will follow the hearse as it leaves Eccles to the sound of a brass band at 08:45, travelling via Sale, Wythenshawe, Sharston and Chorlton. For those who want to participate in the procession, there is a coach leaving the Amblehurst Hotel, at 08:00 to travel to the yard. Please inform Goodwins if you wish to join the coach. Coaches will be available to return to Eccles or go on to the hotel after the ceremony.