Robert E. Wood of 3664 Jollytown Road, passed away today, Dec. 8, 2009 in the Olean General Hospital following an long illness.
Born Feb. 20, 1929 in Buffalo he was a son of the Late Emery and Zita Griffin Wood. On Oct. 9, 1971 in the University Methodist Church in Buffalo he married Janet L. Shoemaker, who survives.
Mr. Wood worked in the maintenance department at SUNY in Buffalo for more than 15 years and retired 1991 as Maintenance Supervisor. Following his retirement they moved to Hinsdale to be in the country.
Mr. Wood was a proud Veteran serving in the U.S. Navy from 1947 to 1949. Mr. Woode was proud to have helped in the initial formation of the Cattaraugus-Allegany Counties Joint Veterans Volunteer Van Service and he was its first volunteer director. He was a member of the Hinsdale American Legion Post 1434 and the Olean Elks.
Surviving Mr. Wood besides his wife of 38 years are a son, Stephan (Susan) Wood of Alabama; a daughter, Susan (Bob) Lewis of West Field, NY; a step son, Gary Forichette of Buffalo; a step daughter, Michella (Patricia) O'Donnell of Franklinville; 7 grandchildren, Amy (David) Lewis, Bob (Michele) Lewis, Jr., Christy (James) Osbourne, Jennifer (Steve) Jones, Michael (Melissa) Sullivan, Alison Berg and Ryan Forichette; 8 great grandchildren, four brothers, Richard Wood of Tonawanda, Raymond Wood of Cheektowaga, Jerry (Sue) Wood of Cheektowaga, and David (Pat) Wood of Oregon; and a sister, Frances (Albert) Maloney of Buffalo.
As per Mr. Wood request there will be no public visitation. A Memorial Services will be held on Friday, Dec. 11, 2009 at 3:00 PM in the Hinsdale United Methodist Church. The Rev. Dr. Carl Schultz, Pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the Veteran Field of Honor in Mt. View Cemetery. Olean, NY.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Veteran Van Service C/O Robert McGinty 5251 S. Nine Mile Road, Allegany, NY 14706.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc. #646 E. State Street, Olean.