Northborough – John R. Wood, 86, died Monday, April 14, 2014 at Oakdale Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center in West Boylston after a short illness. His wife of 59 years, Eleanor Jean (Pentland) Wood passed away in November 2009.
He is survived by his five children, Barbara Wood and her spouse Michele Emond of Hollis, N.H.; John Wood and his wife Nancy of Rotonda West, Fla.; Michael Wood and his wife Paula of Barre; Carol Wood-Klash and her husband Ronald of Gardner; and Ann Wood of Auburn and her fiancé Mark Elworthy. He was blessed with four grandchildren, Jaime, Jessica, Christopher, and Elise, and three great-grandchildren, Kayla, Addison, and Colton. He was predeceased by his brother, Robert Wood, and his sister, Jane Wood.
John was the son of David Wood and Mary (Griffin) Wood. He was born in Worcester on July 31, 1927. He attended Worcester Public Schools and graduated from Classical High School. He served in the U.S. Navy with Honorable Discharge in November 1945.? He graduated from Boston University with a degree in Engineering and received a post graduate degree from Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
John married his wife, Eleanor, in November 1950, and they moved to Northborough in 1954. He and Eleanor were founding members of St. Bernadette's Parish, as well as members of its Altar Society. He moved to Gardner in 2010, where he lived with his daughter, Carol, and her family until his recent illness.
He started his career at Rockwood Sprinkler in Worcester. He went on to work most of his career in Randolph at a company originally named Dymo/Elliot Business Machine.? He retired in 1986.
John loved spending time with his family. He was an avid hunter and enjoyed decades of hunting in Vermont and Massachusetts with members of his family.
Calling hours will be held Monday, April 21, from 5 – 8 p.m., in Hays Funeral Home, 56 Main St. (Route 20), Northborough. A funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, April 22, at 10 a.m., at St. Bernadette Parish, 266 Main St., Northborough. Burial will follow at Howard Street Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.
For online condolences or directions, please visit www.haysfuneralhome.com.
The family wishes to thank the caregivers at GVNA Health Care My Home Connection in Gardner for their years of care and service as well as the staff at Oakdale Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center in West Boylston for his recent care.
