MARION -- Richard A. Wood, 85, of Rochester died Monday, Jan. 17, 2005, at Sippican Healthcare Center after a brief illness. He was the husband of Virginia (Hirst) Wood.
Born in New Bedford, he was the son of the late William G. and Otilia (Maciel) Wood. He was a graduate of New Bedford High School and attended the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy in Boston.
He left school to enlist and served in the Army Air Corps during World War II, based with the 8th Army Air Force Unit in England, and was with the first contingent of planes that bombed the Ploesti oil fields in Romania. He flew daring missions over North Africa, Sicily and Romania, piloting liberator bombers.
One of New Bedford's most decorated airmen, he was the recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross with cluster, the Air Force medal with four oak leaf clusters, the Presidential Unit Citation and the Silver Star, the World War II medal and the European and American Theater Operations medals. A B24 pilot, he also served with the 389th Bomber Squadron.
In his earlier service years, he was assigned to the Intelligence Department at the Pentagon, and after his active duty he was a member of the 9235th Air Reserve Squadron at Fort Rodman, retiring as a lieutenant colonel.
He and his wife restored their 1812 home at Apple Knowll Farm.
Mr. Wood was a 30-year employee of the New England Telephone Co., retiring in 1980. A longtime resident of Rochester, he was active with the United Fund, served as town moderator and was a member of the Finance Committee and the ambulance committee. He was a member of the American Legion Post 280 in Mattapoisett, the Telephone Pioneers of America and the Retired Officers Club.
He served as chairman of the local American Red Cross, and was a member of the Old Dartmouth Club and WHALE. He was an avid golfer and a member of the Acoaxet Golf Club, the Kitannsett Golf Club and the New Bedford Country Club. A sailing enthusiast, he love sailing local waters and named his yacht Heaven Can Wait.
Survivors include his widow; and his brother, Robert G. Wood of Florida.
His funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at the Wilson Chapel, 479 County St., New Bedford, with burial in Oak Grove Cemetery.