LOUIS A. WOOD

PORTLAND – Louis A. Wood, 79, a resident of Venice, Fla., a summer visitor of Saco and formerly of Cape Elizabeth, passed away peacefully Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009, with family by his side at Maine Medical Center, while recovering from complications due to chronic lymphocytic leukemia, CLL. He was born April 15, 1930, in Rockville Centre, N.Y., the only son of Edgar A. Wood and Bertha L. Jack. After his father died at a young age, Lou moved to Lisbon Falls to live with his maternal grandparents while his mother continued to work at Macy’s, New York. His mother later remarried to Jim Marshall of Lisbon Falls. Lou graduated from Gould Academy in 1948, graduated cum laude from Bowdoin College with a Bachelor of Arts degree, where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa in 1952, and graduated from Harvard Law School in 1955. He was admitted to the bars of Maine and Massachusetts in 1955, just prior to enlisting in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, where he served for three years, attaining the rank of lieutenant commander. On Sept. 11, 1954, he married Carolyn Ruth Claus of New Jersey and they had five children. On Oct. 28, 2000, he married Marty Cole of Saco, who had three children. After receiving his discharge from the Navy in early 1959, he became an associate of the firm of Verrill, Dana, Walker, Philbrick and Whitehouse in February 1959 and as of Jan. 1, 1961, he was admitted to partnership, which today is known as Verrill Dana, LLP. He retired in 2003 and became of counsel to the firm. Mr. Wood’s legal practice involved real estate matters, commercial law and securities, and representing various financial institutions. Mr. Wood was a charter member of American College of Real Estate Lawyers and a Fellow of the American College of Mortgage Attorneys. He was a member of the American Bar Association and Section on Real Property, Probate and Trust Law. Additionally, he was a member of the Maine State Bar Association, Cumberland County Bar Association, American Land Title Association and New England Land Title Association. Mr. Wood was a longtime resident of Cape Elizabeth, involved in the municipal affairs. He was instrumental in the purchase of Fort Williams by Cape Elizabeth. He was active in the Greater Portland United Way, a member of Cumberland Club, Portland Club and Portland Country Club, and a trustee emeritus of Gould Academy. Additionally, he taught real estate classes locally. Above all, Lou was a family man. He delighted watching his children grow from toddlers to adults, and again as his children in turn raised their children. He loved the commotion of family. In all respects, Lou was a gentleman. He was a kind soul, one who grew up around dogs, and loved them as much as they loved him back, especially his latest four-legged friend, Lola. Lou will be remembered by family and friends for his keen mind and dry Maine humor, always appreciating a good joke and always making others feel at ease. He could easily slip into his native Downeast accent and chat about his Red Sox, news or politics, even offer up an off-color limerick or two. To longtime friends and strangers alike, he was the most comfortable person to be with. From eating desserts – anything chocolate – playing baseball to bird hunting, Lou loved life. He traveled extensively throughout the years with friends and family, collecting along the way many stories and pictures to share. He always had a positive outlook on life. Upon retirement he looked for a new interest and found in it the form of painting, taking lessons and producing many fine works of art he shared with family; he surprised even himself with his newly discovered artistic talent. Lou is survived by his loving wife of nine years, Marty of Venice, Fla., and summer visitor of Saco; his children, Wendy Wood Theriault and Mark of Cape Elizabeth, Diann Wood of South Portland, Louis Wood and Cindy of Cumberland, Pamela Wood Richards and Scott of Cape Elizabeth and Amy Wood McLaren and Craig of Newburyport, Mass.; stepchildren, Cathy Dulac and Kyle of Eagle, Colo., Douglas Cole and Suzanne of New Canaan, Conn., and Betsy Cole of Truckee, Calif.; grandchildren, Allie and Cole Theriault, Wesley and Elle Richards, Kyle and Evan Wood, Casey and Parker McLaren, Clay and Jack McCrory, and Courtney and Jeffrey Cole; stepbrothers, John Marshall of Honolulu and Dick Marshall of Farmington; stepsister, Jean Marshall of Jacksonville, Fla.; numerous cousins, aunts and uncles. Lou was predeceased by his parents; and beloved wife of 44 years, Carolyn. He will be greatly missed by all. A celebration of Lou’s life will be held 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15, at Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Road, South Portland. A funeral service will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, at St. Alban’s Church, 885 Shore Road, Cape Elizabeth. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Maine Cancer Foundation.