Obituary of Richard A. Wood

Richard A. Wood, 95, of Lewiston, NY, peacefully entered Jesus’ embrace on Wednesday, December 9, 2020, at home, with his loving family. He was born in Jackson, MI, on June 19, 1925, the son of Henry Wayne and Revella (Barnes) Wood. He served in the U. S. Army during WWII from 1944 to 1946 where he was awarded the EAME Theater Ribbon with 4 Bronze Stars, the Good Conduct Medal, Meritorious Unit Award, Victory Medal WWII and Army of Occupation Medal (Germany). He attended Michigan State University before he wed Ann A. (Tompkins) Wood on November 15, 1947 at Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Niagara Falls, NY. He completed his carpentry apprenticeship in 1951and was a member of the Carpenters Local #280 and #322. During his career, he helped to build many iconic sites in Niagara County, including the Power Vista, the Lockport Bridge over the Canal, and St. Peter R.C. School, which his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren attended. He graduated with his B.S. in Vocational Teaching from Buffalo State in 1971 and served as an instructor for the Iroquois Job Corp and the United Brotherhood of Carpenters until he retired in 1987. He was an active member of the St. Peter's Church, serving as a lector and in the Holy Name Society, of which he is a past-president. Richard was well known for his wood carving, winning several local competitions. He was the best son, brother, dad, grandpa, great-grandpa, and great-great grandpa who enjoyed spending time with his family and researching family genealogy, which he traced over 1,000 years. Surviving are his children, Robert (Patti) Wood, Linda (late Robert and Dave) Heagerty Lambert, Patricia (Roger) Hutton, Krisann (Robert) Koithan, John (late Amy) Wood; grandchildren, David (Harmony) Wood, Renee (Wood) Diamond, Katie (Tim) Lashway, Meghan (Robert) Harmon, Robert Sean (Kristen) Heagerty, Kim Hutton, Briana (Jamus) Jegier, AJ Reiter, Colleen (Chris) Brown, Sarah, Kim, Melissa, Katie, and Allison Koithan, Kelly (Christian) Siezega, Jennifer (Al) Bax, Leah Ingraham, Stevie (Jimmy) Wright, and Melissa, Elizabeth, and Amanda Poole; 30 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren; sister Marjorie (late Marvin, Joseph, and Joe) Bissell Hallenback Bast, sisters- and brothers-in-law Patricia (late Frank) Phillips; Sally Wood, Johnnie Wood, Kenneth (Charlotte) Tompkins, and Robert (Sharon) Tompkins. He is also survived by many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his loving wife Ann, his daughter Barbara Lynn, his grandson Bryan Richard Wood, his brothers Clifford, Keith and Charles (Dot and Barbara) Wood, sisters-and brothers-in-law Arlene (Anthony and Frank) Pullano Smiedala, Joan (John) Morgan, Karolyn Tompkins, Reva (James) Waddell, Melvin (Jeanette) Tompkins, Doris (Gerald) Berthot, and Grace (Fred) Thompson. The family extends their deepest gratitude to Gail, Rita, Evelyn, and Nichole for their loving care and support of Richard these past two years. A private burial will be held for the family at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Town of Lewiston, NY, and a celebration of life will follow in the summer of 2021. Memorials in Richard's memory may be made to St. Peter's R.C. School or to Niagara Hospice. Visit www.hardisonfuneralhomes.com for guest register.