BREWER – Richard “Dick” V. Wood, 83, died Saturday, March 24, 2012, surrounded by his family at home, following a courageous battle with leukemia. He was born May 18, 1928, in Fall River, Mass., the son of Samuel and Marion (DuBois) Wood.
Dick grew up in Sherbrooke, Quebec, and graduated from Kimball Union Academy, Meriden, N.H. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War and served on the aircraft carrier USS Essex as a navigator and radar operator. While on a three-day leave he married his lifelong sweetheart, Catherine Grace Flint. He courted her beginning at age 13 and they shared a wonderful lifetime of love. While serving in Korea his first daughter Susan was born in San Diego. After his honorable discharge in 1954 he went to work for Robert Hall clothing store in Ohio. When an opening became available to manage the new store in Brewer he jumped at the chance to experience the Maine way of life. He managed the Brewer store for 17 years and earned many awards for best performing store, including a red Chevy Corvair. He opened Woods Clothing Store in the Twin City Plaza, where he enjoyed operating his own business. Dick was then the Maine state sales manager for Gerald Roy Insurance Co., where he won many exiting trips for his outstanding salesmanship that he was able to enjoy with his wife, Catherine. He was a member of Brewer Kiwanis, member and chairman of Brewer School Committee, and a deacon of All Souls Congregational Church. Dick was an avid outdoorsman and just loved experiencing all life had to offer. Dick was happiest surrounded by his family at his camp on Cold Stream Pond in Lincoln. He enjoyed many fishing trips to Williams Pond, hiking up Mount Katahdin, hiking into Russell Pond camp site, deer hunting every fall, as well as the occasional moose hunt. He enjoyed four trips to Alaska with his daughter, Susan and her husband, Ron; his brother, Brent; and son, Victor, where they rented an RV and traveled the state of Alaska in search of silver salmon. Dick also enjoyed cruises to the east and west Caribbean, as well as Alaska and his trips to Hawaii and the French Riviera. He really enjoyed the winter months at St. Pete Beach, Fla. Dick enjoyed all holidays and especially enjoyed celebrating Christmas with his entire family. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was a great storyteller. His was a life well lived and a man much loved.
Dick is survived by his loving wife of 59 1/2 years, Catherine; daughters, Susan Pomeroy and her husband, Ron, of Etna, Barbara Kenney and her husband, Tim, of Bradley and Victoria Triplett of Brewer; son, Victor Wood and his wife, Michaeleen, of Otis; brother, S. B. “Bud” Wood Jr. of Beaufort, S.C.; eight grandchildren, Jennifer Pomeroy and her fiance, Jamie MacPheters, Kate Pomeroy, Ryan Kenney, Christopher Kenney, Kayla Triplett, Rachel Triplett, Rebecca Wood and Emily Wood; a stepgrandson, Nathan McCarthy; several nieces and nephews; and lifelong friend, Diman Lynn of Ontario. In addition to his parents, Dick was predeceased by sisters, Janet Sullivan, Leslie Robeson and Lois Lawson; and brother, Brent Wood. Dick’s family thanks the staff at CancerCare of Maine for their compassion and support during the last four years.
Friends are welcome to call 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 27, at Brewer Chapel of Brookings-Smith, 55 South Main St., Brewer. A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 28, at All Souls Congregational Church, 10 Broadway, Bangor, with the Rev. Dr. James L. Haddix, pastor and teacher, officiating. After the service relatives and friends are invited to share conversation and refreshments in the church vestry. Interment will be held in the spring at Lincoln Cemetery, Lincoln. Those wishing to remember Dick may make gifts in his name to Maine Veterans Home, 44 Hogan Road, Bangor, ME 04401 or Bangor Humane Society, 693 Mount Hope Ave., Bangor, ME 04401.