George Howard Wood

April 14, 1939 – April 26, 2026

When Dad was born, they broke the mould—and then wisely threw away the pieces. He was a true character, armed with a contagious laugh that arrived early, stayed long, and often appeared mid-sentence. He talked fast, laughed faster, and between the two, you sometimes had to work to keep up—but it was always worth it.

Dad lived life at two distinct speeds: full throttle or fully asleep (occasionally at a red light, just to keep things interesting). Over the years, he was a farmer, a plumber, and eventually a deckhand with Marine Atlantic—a job he declared the best of all since “they feed and clothe you.”

He had a remarkable talent for building or fixing just about anything, making him the go-to “doer” behind his late wife Ione’s many projects—whether at home, the cottage, in the garden, at his kid’s houses, the church, or Camp Abegweit. George approached each task with determination, ingenuity, and just enough improvisation to keep things memorable.

He loved being active: waterskiing, snowmobiling, biking, motorcycling, and proving himself a capable switch-hitter in both baseball and spirited games of 500s. At the cottage, he was known for initiating water fights and spontaneously rounding up kids for midday trips to the wharf. If you hesitated, you quickly learned that getting in the water was not optional. He taught many children to waterski—and, depending on the day, may have expanded their vocabularies as well.

Dad was happiest near the water—boating, lounging in warm tidal pools, or immersed in a pool, especially at Crystal and Rich’s, where the temperature was a perfect 90 degrees. There, he could enjoy coffee, watch TV, and soak—all at once, which he considered an excellent use of time. He also cherished many evenings of lively card games.

Happy Acre won’t feel quite the same without Dad—whether on his deck or Noelle’s, in his rocking chair, coffee in hand, soaking up the sunshine and keeping a watchful—if not especially quiet—eye on things. Some memories, however (his Speedo era among them), are perhaps best left to the imagination.

Dad was deeply devoted to our late mother, Ione (née Wright). They were rarely apart and shared a life rich in companionship. Although he was sometimes a reluctant participant in her love of gardening, house projects, music and travel, he always went along—usually with only minimal protest. In later years, travel often meant time with family, from Crystal’s in Florida to visiting Ashley and Noelle’s in Toronto, along with a few memorable cruises.

George often said he would never live anywhere but North Tryon, though he did enjoy his years living with Kent and Julie in Crapaud, where he was able to spend treasured time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Known, without dispute, as the “best Dad and Gramps ever,” George will be deeply missed and fondly remembered—always with a smile—by his family: children Kent (Julie), Noelle (Chris Norton), and Crystal (Rich Carr); grandchildren Joel (Laura), Brett (Marise), Cole, Blake and Greer Norton, and Joelle (Hunter O’Leary) and Lucas Carr; and his three great-grandchildren, Allie Booth, Cooper, and Theo Wood. He is also lovingly remembered by his sister, Joann (Earle) MacDonald, and many nieces and nephews.

George was predeceased by his cherished son Ashley; his siblings Joyce Stark, Verna Slysz, and Garth Wood; his brother-in-law Harry Stark; his parents, Adelaide and Raymond Wood; and his in-laws, Olive and Thorne Affleck.

Special thanks to the staff at South Shore Villa and the Garden Home for their exceptional care.

By personal request, there will be no visiting hours or funeral. Given George’s deep love of his many dogs (and his tolerance of our cats), donations in his memory may be made to the Humane Society or the Alzheimer’s Society.