Duncan (Sandy) F. Wood, 71, of Round Pond and formerly of East Greenwich, R.I., passed away peacefully on Oct. 20 with his four children, Christina Swain, Tristram Wood, Amanda Wood, and Elizabeth Wood, and his brother and sister-in-law, Dean and Caroline Wood, and nephew Steven Wood, by his side.
Duncan was born in Providence, R.I., on May 25, 1940. He was a graduate of Providence Country Day School in East Providence and the University of Vermont with a degree in Engineering. After serving an apprenticeship at Brown and Sharp Manufacturing, Duncan spent his career in the machine tool industry. He worked for Davenport Machine Tool Company, Granger Manufacturing, and eventually retired from Masters Machine Corporation in Round Pound in 2010.
Always happiest with the wind in his face, Duncan’s interests were varied and eclectic. He raced cars at Limerock and Thompson, and his love for fast cars continued through his final days, as he was often seen around the area in his favorite Porsche Boxter. He was an avid sailor and sailboat restorer, racing for more than 15 years with many dear friends out of the Portland Yacht Club. In his later years, he was an active race committee official and a GMORA board member. He was a Merchant Marine Officer and maintained his US Coast Guard license until 2010. He was also an accomplished skier and former ski racer, spending many winters at Pats Peak in Henniker, N.H., and, more recently, devouring the trails at Cannon Mountain in Franconia, N.H. He loved airplanes and had his pilot’s license, soaring the skies in his Pipercub. Always the “dare-devil,” he looked for any good challenge, loving the adrenaline rush. He loved family most of all, spending summers in Little Compton, R.I., with all of his children, grandchildren, brother, sister-in-law, his nephews and their children.
Besides his four children, Duncan leaves behind six grandchildren, Ian, Sophia and Lydia Swain, and Duncan, Phoebe and Bridget Wood; brother and sister-in-law, Dean and Caroline Wood; and favorite nephews, Todd, Scott and Steve Wood and their children.
Memorial service 3 p.m., Oct. 24 at the Portland Yacht Club.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made in honor of Duncan F. Wood to the Arthritis Foundation, P.O. Box 7669, Atlanta, GA 30357.
