Stephen "Woody" Wood, a former New Canaan police officer, died Sunday at his home in Vista, N.Y. He was 60.
Born on March 12, 1951, in Mount Kisco, N.Y., he was the son of Clare Berndt Wood and the late Charles D. Wood. He was the husband of Patricia Christiano Wood, whom he married in 1978.
Upon graduating from John Jay High School in 1969, Wood had two Major League Baseball teams scouting him to be a pitcher. He made a decision he never regretted to enter the Marine Corps instead. He was an active marine until 1972, stationed for a time in Iceland. He also joined the Vista Volunteer Fire Department and was a member for 25 years.
On April 1, 1977, he became an officer with the New Canaan Police Department. He spent the next 33 years dedicating his life to the protection of others. In 1984, he became New Canaan's first K-9 police officer as he partnered with "Ex." In 1997, Wood was promoted to lieutenant, and he remained in that rank until cancer forced him to retire in July 2009.
Wood was first diagnosed in February 2008 with advanced pancreatic cancer. The life expectancy was not long, and many believed he would be gone in six months. He defied all odds when he fought to get his tumor down to an operable size. In October 2008, he was cancer-free after surgery. But by May 2009, it had returned. Wood fought hard against his disease, surprising his family and friends until the end.
Wood had a commanding presence, but those who knew him best enjoyed his incredible sense of humor and say his red-faced laugh is unforgettable. He enjoyed motorcycle riding, and his current bike, a Harley-Davidson Road King, was kept in meticulous condition. He was also an avid hunter and looked forward to trips to the Catskills, where he hunted deer and turkey.
He was also a committed member of the gym, which he went to frequently even as his cancer and its treatments progressed. Wood was often spotted at Zumbach's in New Canaan sipping coffee.
Wood was the kind of dad who would do anything for his daughters. He taught his children from an early age that work ethic was important and to get respect you have to earn it. He always told his girls, "don't get mad, get even."
In addition to his mother and wife, survivors include two daughters, Kimberely LaTourette and husband Aaron of New Fairfield and Kelly Svendsen and husband Paul of Danbury; four sisters, Deborah Wood-Hoyt of Fairfield, Valerie Sedelnick and husband Dave of New Milford, Pamela Perlik of Poughquag, N.Y., and Catherine Politi of Fairfield; and four grandsons.
His family will receive friends from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Hoyt Funeral Home, 199 Main St. A funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Aloysius Church, Cherry Street, with burial to follow with full military honors in Lakeview Cemetery, New Canaan.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Whittingham Cancer Center in Norwalk, 24 Stevens St., Norwalk CT; the New Canaan Police Benevolent Association, South Avenue, New Canaan CT; or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at www.pancan.org.
For online condolences and directions, visit the Hoyt Funeral Home Web site.Follow The Daily New Canaan on Facebook and Twitter.
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