LEICESTER: Donald F. Wood,91, of the Cherry Valley section of Leicester, passed away peacefully in Knollwood Nursing Center in Worcester on Tuesday, Jan. 31st.
He was the husband of Barbara A. (McPhillips) Wood who died in 2013. He leaves his sons; Kevin Wood of Cherry Valley and Alan Wood and his wife Lynn of Leicester, his daughters; Donna J. Harrington and her husband Mark of Leicester and Deborah McCue and her husband Andrew of Cherry Valley, 3 grandsons & 9 granddaughters, and 5 great grandchildren, nieces and nephews and his longtime companion Freda Eldridge. He was predeceased by his sons; David, Brian and Steven Wood and his 4 brothers; Jack, Bob, George and Henry Wood.
He was born in Worcester, the son of Truman and Margaret (McCarthy) Wood and graduated from Leicester High School. He proudly served his country on the USS Hank with the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. Don was the co-owner of the Worcester Juice Co. with his brother Bob, then owned and operated the Grand Cafe "Don's Place" in Worcester for 32 years, retiring in 1993. He previously owned the former Breezy Bends Pub in Leicester. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 443 in CherryValley, the Auburn Lodge of Elks 2118, Knights of Columbus 4528 (Fourth Degree), and founder of the "Dog House Club". Don was a N.E. Patriots Season Ticket holder and looked forward to Kevin's annual Super Bowl parties. The family would like to thank the entire staff at Knollwood Nursing Center for the care and compassion our Dad received in the last few months of his life. Don loved his family, and always had a smile and a kind word to share.
Don's funeral will be held on Friday, Feb.3rd. from the MORIN FUNERAL HOME, 1131 Main St., Leicester with a funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Pius X Church, 1153 Main St., Leicester. Burial with Military Honors will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Leicester. Calling hours are Thursday, from 4 to 7 p.m. in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to either Hearts for Heat, P.O. Box 69, Rochdale, MA 01542 or Leicester Food Pantry, 759 Main St., Leicester, MA 01524.