Donald W. Wood

Donald was born on June 14, 1925 in Toledo, Ohio as the only child to Eldred and Alma Wood. He is survived by his wife, Cynthia Bass-Wood, his children, Gregory Wood, Claudia Wood, Nicola Silver, and Julia and her husband Boomer Ford. Donald’s grandchildren are Shane, Skylar, and Bryce Ford. And his loving pets, Jasmine and Lily, the first dogs he ever got close to in his life.

Donald’s early years were primarily spent in Ohio, moving then to Chicago where he graduated from Calumet High School. Two weeks after finishing school he enlisted in the Army. He was one of the fortunate ones to survive the invasion of Normandy in WWII. He was in the first Engineer Special Brigade. He returned Stateside to do his BA at the University of Illinois. Don loved the University environment and continued his studies at MIT for a Masters. It was in Cambridge that he met his first wife Marcia. They went back together to University of Illinois where thanks to the GI Bill , Don completed his Doctorate in Chemical Engineering.

This was the time of multinational oil corporations so Don joined Standard Oil of New Jersey, welcomed his first two children, Gregory and Claudia,into the world and enjoyed the views from his office space at Rockefeller Center.

His first marriage ended and then began Don’s tour of the world as an executive of Esso, Exxon, Oxirane and Arco. Petrochemicals was his division and he moved to Brussels,Belgium, then Hamburg, Germany where he met his second wife, Karin. Then went back to Brussels and two beautiful daughters, Nicola and Julia.

Don and the family set up house with Karin at the helm in Houston,TX, New Canaan, CT, London, Philadelphia, PA and Hong Kong. He had great adventures, travelled to all corners of the world, met amazing and influential people and brought to the many communities his intelligence, work ethic , commitment and love of family.

Don lost Karin in 1996 the week he retired and married off his youngest daughter. He and Karin had just moved to Naples FL after building a new home. Naples is where Don met and married his third wife Cindy. Cindy Bass was a very active member of the community where they lived and she introduced him to her welcoming circle of friends. Cindy introduced Don how to enjoy the Neapolitan life style. In his time of retirement he and Cindy went boating, walked on the beach, water sports, gave fabulous parties and enjoyed the friends and comfort of their Naples golf community. For the last 16 years of his life he cultivated those relationships with his new wife and had the blessing of three beautiful grandchildren.

Don was a quiet and humble man who had a full and well lived life. At the end, he was cared for by his devoted wife Cindy who never left his side, and his housekeeper and friend of 27 years, Marciana Jarquio. Special thanks to the many caregivers at Almost Family.

Service will be held on Wednesday January 9, 2013 at the Bonita Springs Presbyterian Church, 9751 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs, FL 34135, at 10 AM.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in memory of Donald Wood to Avow Hospice, 1095 Whippoorwill Lane, Naples, FL 34105.