Robert Woods

Frary Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Tupper Lake has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.

Bob is survived by his wife, Mary (Betty) Woods; his children, Maureen and Chuck Johnson of Accokeek, Maryland; Catherine and Jim Thornberry of Vienna, Virginia; Rob Woods of Potsdam, New York; and his grandchildren, Ana Maria Sines, Michaela Johnson, Collin Johnson, Breanna Johnson, Megan Thornberry, Bridget Thornberry, and Christopher Woods-Jones. He is preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Patricia Woods-Jones; and his granddaughter, Erin Trimarchi.

Bob was born in Tupper Lake to Henry and Agnes Woods on July 11, 1927. He graduated from Tupper Lake High School in 1945. He fondly recalled stories of his youth, selling blocks of ice from Raquette Pond to summer campers at Fish Creek Pond to keep the locals cool. For some time, he worked at the Tupper Lake Free Press before being drafted into the US Army, serving in Germany during the Korean War for two years. After returning home, he joined the Army Reserve, which would bring him to Malone every other week and Camp Drum every summer. During this time, he met the love of his life, Betty Dugan, and they were married at St. Alphonsus Church on May 17, 1958. While raising their beautiful family, he worked at Northland Motors as a Parts Manager and continued to serve his country in the US Army Reserve. His last career took place at Sunmount DDSO in Tupper Lake as a safety/security officer before he retired in 1989.

Family and community were important aspects of Bob’s life. He and Betty were founding members of The Wild Center and volunteered as visitor facilitators since its opening in 2006. He played trumpet in the Fireman’s Band for many years. Other favorite hobbies included hiking, camping, and cross-country skiing in his beloved Adirondack mountains, playing ping-pong, and playing in the Men’s softball and bowling leagues. For over 70 years, he sang in the choir and read as a lector at Holy Name/St. Alphonsus churches. In his later years, he prayed many hours a day. He noted on the day before his death that he had read through his favorite prayer book from beginning to end.

Memorial donations may be made in Bob’s memory to the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, PO Box 4469, Washington, DC 20017.

Online condolences may be made at www.fraryfuneralhome.com/obituaries.