Roy A. Wood

Roy A. Wood, 86, of Saugerties, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 8, 2023 surrounded by his loving family.  He was born on October 19, 1936 to the late Thomas H. and Sara D. Wood.  He was raised in Philadelphia, PA along with his older brothers, the late Chip and Barry Wood. 

He proudly served in the US Navy as Quartermaster Third Class.  Upon honorable discharge, Roy pursued a degree in electrical engineering while employed at Bell Laboratories in Murray Hill, NJ.  It was here that he met his best friend and soulmate, Pat Hummel.  They were married on November 18, 1961.  Roy and Pat eventually moved to Saugerties,  where he began his 37-year career at IBM and where he remained a devoted resident for 56 years.  During Roy’s tenure at IBM, he obtained his MSEE from Syracuse University among many other achievements.  It was in West Saugerties where Roy and Pat raised their four children, Roy Jr., Lori, Steve, and Debbie.  

Roy embraced life as a parent, grandparent, and outdoor enthusiast.  Family camping, hiking, biking, nordic skiing and kayaking were among his favorite activities.  He also remained an active contributor within the Saugerties community.  He was a member of the Jaycees, Rosendale Nordic Ski Club, Malden Yacht Club and a former president of the Blue Kats Mens Club.  Above all, he cherished the time that he spent with his wife, children, and grandchildren and was enthusiastically involved in all of their lives.  He will be lovingly remembered for his infectious wit, dry sense of humor, yo-yo skills and dislike for chewing gum. 

Roy is survived by his wife of 61 years, Pat Wood; sons, Roy Jr. (wife, Leanne) Wood of TX and Steven (wife, Terri) Wood of Saugerties; daughters, Lori Anne Wood of Saugerties and Deb (husband, Bill) DeGraw of Kerhonkson; six grandchildren: Danielle Wood and Christa (husband, Chris) Roach both of Texas, Kevin Wood of Los Angeles, Rachel Wood of Saugerties, Olivia and Victoria DeGraw both of Kerhonkson; sisters-in-law, Lola Wood, Kathie Wood and Sharon (husband, Bob) Lovich; many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his brothers, Thomas "Chip" Wood and Barry Wood.

A private family gathering was held.  Arrangements for a future celebration of life will be announced at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, family requests memorial contributions be made to the Diaz Memorial Ambulance (P.O. Box 147, Saugerties, NY 12477) and Blue Kats (c/o Philip Cobb; 236 Blue Mountain Road, Saugerties NY 12477).

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