John Allan Wood

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved dad. He had a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer and died peacefully at his home in Mill Bay with Shannon, Andrew and his wife, Alana Baker by his side. He is survived by his sister Jane (nieces Marion and Marley), his sister Marley (husband Bill and nephew Kurt) and our mom, Sandy McKee.

Born in Vancouver, his family soon moved to Tahsis, then Brentwood Bay and then Victoria. His mom and dad, Jack and Eileen Wood, were wonderfully supportive through the years and always had an open door for his many friends. Dad had a strong connection with Brentwood College as both a student and a treasured rowing coach. A champion rower himself, he spent most of his life near the water he loved.

In 1984, he married our mom, Sandy, and they lived in Victoria for a few years before moving to Salt Spring in 1989. Andrew was just a toddler and Shannon was born in Lady Minto a year later in 1990. Dad worked at Hastings House in the 90's and as a family we quickly developed lifelong friends on the island. These were golden years of preschool, picnics at Beddis Beach under the banana tree and family parties. Part of the Hornby Gang, Dad loved camping every summer and we could always depend upon him to bring an extra tarp or bungee cord to help someone weather a rain storm. He was the master of the feel-good hug and many people have said that they will always remember those big bear hugs that would lift them off the ground.

We would like to invite all our Salt Spring friends who wish to pay their respects to a memorial celebrating Dad's life. It will be held at Brentwood College School in Mill Bay on Saturday, February 16th at 2 pm.