Reuben H. Wood, Sr., 96, died Sept. 2 at Cove’s Edge in Damariscotta.
He was born Jan. 10, 1910 in Westport, Mass., a son of Alonzo B.T. Wood and Rose Blair Wood. He grew up in Westport, Mass. where he was known as “brother” or “Bob.”
He married Crystal Davis and they lived in Rhode Island for a couple years before moving to New Bedford, Mass. He worked as a Centarless grinder at Morse Cutting Tools in New Bedford, Mass. for 37 years.
His first wife, Crystal, died in 1966. He married Doris Ball in 1969 and they lived in Dartmouth, Mass. until he retired; they moved to Cherryfield in the mid 1970’s. In Cherryfield he was known as the “muffin man.”
His second wife, Doris, died in 1995. After Doris’ death he moved to Nobleboro. Upon moving to Nobleboro, he adopted his first granddaughter, Dr. Minda Gold. The nurses and caregivers that took care of Reuben were adopted as his granddaughters while he was at Wiscasset Green and Cove’s Edge in Damariscotta.
He was a member of the Grange for 75 years, and the Cherryfield Rotary Club. He was President of Cove’s Edge Residents Council and often referred to as “El Presidente.” He was very active raising money for the council through various projects.
He enjoyed cooking, dancing, reading, and music and when he could no longer read, he listened to many books on tape.
He was predeceased by a son, Gardner D.; stepchildren, Nancy Hodgkins and Jack Buchan; sisters, Roseanna Blair, Daisy Wood, Rose Alice Wood Nickerson, and Marjorie Wood Bodington; brothers, Alonzo B.T. Wood, Jr. and Elton Wood.
He is survived by a son, Reuben H. Wood, Jr. and wife Judith of Mattapoisett, Mass.; grandsons, Mark and wife Karen of Baltimore, Md., William and wife Diane of Newport, Vt., Thomas and wife Stacy of Fort Myers, Fla., Dale and wife of Baltimore, Md., and Joseph of Dartmouth, Mass.; granddaughter, Donna Schappell and husband Terry of Baltimore, Md.; eight great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; stepchildren, Jane Burghold and husband Bob of Rockland, Mass., Robert Hodgkins of Jefferson, David Hodgkins of Jefferson, Peter Burghold and wife Ellie of New Jersey, JoAnn Oliver and husband Henry of Nobleboro, Deborah Dunham and husband Perley of Jefferson, and Jonathan Hodgkins of Jefferson.
Visitation 1-2 p.m., Tues., Sept. 5, followed by the funeral at 2 p.m. at Hall Funeral Home, 949 Main St., Waldoboro. Burial will follow in Hall Cemetery, Nobleboro.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Cove’s Edge Resident Council Fund, 79 Schooner Dr., Damariscotta, ME 04543.
Arrangements are entrusted to Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 949 Main St., Waldoboro.