IN MEMORIAM
Robert H. Wood, 85, City Teacher
Active In Oneonta Community Life
ONEONTA – Robert H. Wood, 86, a career teacher in Oneonta schools, community leader and father of Town Supervisor Bob Wood, passed away Sept. 21, 2018, at Fox Hospital.
Bob was born Nov. 8, 1931 in Buffalo, the fifth child of Grace and Harold Wood. He married Constance Kavanaugh Aug. 21, 1953 at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Buffalo and they shared 65 happy years.
Following graduation from Buffalo State with BS in Industrial Arts (1953) and later a MS in Education in Industrial Arts (1961), Bob and Connie moved to Oneonta following their honeymoon and began their first teaching jobs. After one-year Bob was called into the Army and served two years with the Counter Intelligence Corps.
The couple then returned to Oneonta, where Bob taught Industrial Arts before becoming a guidance counselor, obtaining when he obtained a MS in Education in Secondary School Counseling from the University of Buffalo (1964) under a National Defense Education Scholarship. He retired in 1986 after 33 years in the Oneonta City School District.
Bob was an active member of St. James Episcopal Church for more than 60 years, serving on the Vestry and many other committees. Over the years Bob belonged to many organizations including: Oneonta Rotary Club (Paul Harris Fellow, Rotarian of the Year), Masons, the Jaycees, Family Service Association, Civil Service Board, Board of Public Safety, American Legion, The Elks, Executive Service Corp, Voting Machine Custodian, Otsego County Retired Teachers (president), and St. James Manor Board of Directors.
Bob was a skilled woodworker and craftsmen, designing and building custom cabinets and furniture many of which he did with his son Bob. His projects are in City Hall (Common Council chambers, court room tables), the Public Safety Building, and some display cases at Oneonta High School. He was most proud of initiating and building the St James Church columbarium. Other contributions to St. James include the large cross above the altar, crèche, book and display cases and frames for icons made by Mark Bayer.
He is survived by his wife, Connie; sons, Robert (Carol) Wood, Christopher (Elaine) Wood and daughter, Melinda (Carl) Reed; grandchildren, Jeremiah, Joshua (Cathy), Nicholas (Crystal), Ben (Penny), Eric (Beth), Rebecca, and Amanda (Ryan); 9 great grandchildren and special “adopted” Chinese son, Joseph Poon. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Lawrence (Gail) Kavanaugh; nieces, nephews, many special cousins and family who summered at their Silver Lake Institute cottages for over five generations and a number of close friends from the New Year’s Eve and traveling group, Marriage Encounter, lunch bunch at the Golden Guernsey and Wednesday morning Morey’s group.
He was predeceased by his parents and siblings, Richard (Jane) Wood, Frances (Herbert) Kuhn, Priscilla (Brian) Flanigan, and Sylvia Gair.
Bob will always be remembered for his caring and generous nature and ready smile.
We greatly appreciate and wish to thank all the special staff at Fox Nursing Home and Fox Hospital as well as the Hospice staff who tended to him during his stay there.
A Funeral service will be conducted by Father Kenneth Hunter Friday September 28th, 11 AM at St. James Church, 305 Main Street, Oneonta, NY 13820 where he will be interred at the Columbarium.
In lieu of flowers please consider contributions to Catskill Area Hospice or charity of your choice.
Arrangements Oneonta’s only family owned funeral home Lewis Hurley & Pietrobono at 51 Dietz Street. Online condolences may be shared with The Wood family at, www.lhpfuneralhome.com.
