Obituary of Matthew D. Wood

Wevertown: Matthew Dean Wood, 55, of Wevertown passed away peacefully at his home Saturday, November 22, 2008, with his wife, Deana; son, Levi and brother, Bradley by his side, after a courageous 2+ year battle with esophageal cancer. He was born April 6, 1953 in Glens Falls, the son of Ruth Elizabeth Clements Wood and the late Francis Edward Wood, Sr. Matt attended school in South Glens Falls until he was 12 when his family moved to Argyle where he finished school and lived for many years. In his youth he worked at local farms and then in construction. He loved driving truck and ended up driving tractor trailer coast to coast for many years; moving to Iowa for a few years in the 1980’s. Matt moved back to Argyle in 1988. For a short time Matt worked at Butternut Ridge vegetable farm. He worked in the golf industry where he was greatly respected for his knowledge of the golf maintenance equipment and his ability to fix just about anything. He worked first at Highland Park Golf Club and then for 10+ years at Kingswood Golf Club in Hudson Falls. In 2006 he decided to go back to driving and since then has been employed by Action Equipment, Route 9, South Glens Falls. In 1996 Matt moved to Wevertown to his home on Waddell Road which he named Mountainside with his companion Deana (Hitchcock) Baker, whom he met in January of 1994. On January 20, 2007 Matt and Deana were married at the Sodom Community Church. Matt has enjoyed building their home and garage, and improving the property, hunting, and spending time with Deana and their 2 dogs Otis and Dot. He was an avid Dale Earnhardt, Sr. fan and loved watching NASCAR. He always said, “It just wasn’t the same without Dale.” Matt had many friends and was always willing to lend a helping hand to them as they were to him. Besides Matt’s father who died October 13, 2007, he is predeceased by his brother Francis E. Wood, Jr. (November 3, 2008) and a best friend Alan Carruthers (September 23, 2008). As well as his two dogs, Otis and Dot (2007). Matt is survived by his wife Deana, his mother Ruth and his son Levi Wood of Argyle. He is also survived by five brothers: Mark Wood and his fiancée, Jeanne LaPoint of Hudson Falls; Darryl Wood and his wife, Janet of Argyle; Bradley Wood of Tarpon Springs, Fl; Adam Wood and his wife, Dawn and Mike Wood and his wife Karen all of Argyle; his sister-in-law, Dawn Wood of West Pawlet, VT; and his mother-in-law, Muriel LaPoint of Wevertown. He is also survived by many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. Friends may call on Matt’s family from 1-3 and 6-8 pm Tuesday at the Alexander-Baker Funeral Home, 3809 Main St., Warrensburg. Funeral services to celebrate his life will be conducted, 10 am, Wednesday, at the funeral home, with the Rev. Ronald Allen, Pastor of the Sodom Community Church, officiating. Burial will follow at the Reynolds Cemetery in Thurman. There will be a gathering at the Masonic Lodge on Main Street in Warrensburg following the services. The family would like to thank the Charles R. Wood Cancer Center at the Glens Falls Hospital (especially Doctors Michael Castro, Lance Hellman and Aqeel Gallani), The Center for Natural Medicine in Shelburne, VT and High Peaks Hospice. Also, the many friends and family members who have given help and support over the last 2 years. A special thanks goes to Rusty “Mutley” Saunders, Matt’s boss and very good friend for his generosity and friendship. Memorial contributions may be made to the Charles R. Wood Cancer Center, Glens Falls or High Peaks Hospice, Bay Road, Queensbury. Please visit www.alexanderfuneralhomes.com for online guest book, condolences, and directions.