Robert E. Wood

ALBANY – Robert E. Wood, 82, PDDGER and retired crane operator, passed away after a long illness on Thursday, October 2, 2008 at his home, surrounded by his loving family.

Bob was born on September 9, 1926 in Delanson and was the son of the late Everett and Olive (Gage) Wood. Bob retired in 1988 after operating cranes at the South Mall, State University, Plattsburg Airbase and many missile sites. He received his 50 year pin from Local 106 IUOE in July 2001. Bob was very proud of his reputation as a crane operator and enjoyed his work.

Bob was also very active with the BPOE #2480. He joined Bethlehem Lodge 2233 in December 1965 and transferred to Guilderland Lodge 2480 in April 1972 as a charter member. He was elected a charter trustee and started thru the chairs as Est. Lecturing Knight in 1973, becoming Exalted Ruler in 1976. He was District All Star as Lecturing Knight and Exalted Ruler. Bob also served 18 years as Lodge Secretary. He was District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler 1984/1985.

Bob was a Navy Veteran, serving in the Asiatic Pacific during WWII and the National Guard after his discharge. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge 754 F & AM, the American Legion Post 1530 and the Guilderland Memorial Post 5294 VFW, where he served three years as Quartermaster and was Post Commander 1997/1998. He served as State Co-Chairman of Veterans Service in 1981/1982 and served nine years as State Trustee of the State Capital District.

Bob became the Elks VAVS Representative at the Samuel Stratton VA Medical Center in 1991 and had accumulated over 5,000 hours of volunteer service. Bob was responsible for naming a transitional residence in honor of Jerry Shook, the late VAVS Representative with over 19,000 hours of service. Bob was also responsible for the first ever memorial stone placed in a National Veterans Cemetery by a non-service organization.

Bob received the Lewis A. Swyer Award for the volunteerism and the Grand Lodge Elk Male Volunteer of the Year for Veterans Service in New York State. He also served on the Board of Directors of Vet Care Inc.

Bob is survived by his children, Robert J. "Jimmy" Wood of Dunnsville, Barbara A. Ryan of Dunnsville, Janet (Steve) Price of Arizona, Richard E. "Rick" Wood of Albany, Peggy (Rich) Blais of Scotia and William J. "Bill" Wood of Albany; his good companion, Charlotte Lawton of Guilderland and his sister-in-law, Toni Rau Wood of No. Carolina. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, four great-granddaughters and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife of 44 years, Theresa "Terry" (Grady) Wood, she died on April 25, 1991 and his only brother, Bernard E. Wood, retired USMC MGYSGT.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday at New Comer-Cannon Funeral Home, 343 New Karner Rd., Colonie (Rt. 155-south of Central Ave.). Interment will follow at St. Agnes Cemetery in Menands. Calling hours will be held on Monday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Stratton's Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 113 Holland Ave., Albany, NY 12208 or to the American Lung Association, 155 Washington Ave., Suite 210, Albany, NY 12210 in memory of Robert E. Wood. To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.NewcomerAlbany.com