Harry Roy Wood

November 9, 1927 - April 5, 2014

Harry Roy Wood, 86, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer on Saturday, April 5, 2014 at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital in the Palliative Care ward.

Harry was born on November 9, 1927 in Edinburgh, Scotland to Donald George and Jean Blane (Morgan) Wood. He was the second child of four brothers and one sister. When he was between the age of 5 and 6 years old the Wood family moved to Currie which is about 7 miles outside of Edinburgh. While living in Edinburgh, Harry attended George Watsons Boys College and when his family moved to Aberdeen in 1943 he finished off his time at George Watsons as a border and graduated in 1944 a year ahead of his age group. He then attended first Aberdeen University and then later London University. He was an excellent athlete, excelling at cross country running, track, tennis, golf and whatever else he turned his hand to.

During his time at University, Harry was required to do his National Service. He joined the Air Ministry in London on February 15, 1947 and was to join the Royal Air Force where he served as a pilot officer for 2 years. He initially trained as a pilot but had to drop out about halfway through his training due to appendicitis. Harry was then posted to RAF Leuchars in Fife as a physical training officer. After returning to his studies Harry earned a Master of Arts from London University in 1951.

After graduating from University, Harry immigrated to Canada in 1951 where he worked for MacMillan and Bloedel Ltd. for 6 years. He started on the green chain and worked his way up to managing the water traffic department.

In 1952, Harry flew back to Scotland and on June 21, 1952 he married his beloved Jean Elizabeth Lindsay at Kings College Chapel in Aberdeen Scotland. Following their marriage they sailed off to Canada and travelled by train to settle in Vancouver, BC. They were very happily married for 51 years and had three children: Keith in 1953, Brian in 1954, and Lindsay in 1960.

In March of 1960, Harry was offered a job to join a new company which became the very successful Vancouver Wharves Ltd. Harry worked his way up through the ranks and after 32 years of hard work he retired in November 1992 as CEO and part owner.

Harry was a member of the Robert Burns Society, BC Maritime Employers Association, the Vancouver Club, the Terminal City club, Capilano Golf and Country club to name a few. In retirement, Harry enjoyed his beautiful waterfront home on Vancouver Island, he loved to be surrounded by his adoring ever-expanding family, his multitude of friends and acquaintances whom he liked to refer to as "ne'er do wells and miscreants". He enjoyed aged single malts, good wine, his books, and music. He had a weakness for dark chocolate and licorice. He loved to play golf, quote Robert Burns, limericks and Shakespeare. Harry was a joy to be around, unfailingly polite, kind, and exceedingly generous to all he came in contact with.

Harry was a successful man who knew himself well and used his talents wisely. With warmth in his smile and comfort in his touch, he always let others know how special they were. He was the best example of how to play fair and give life your best shot. He was someone to look up to, to lean on, and to love. Just by being the wonderful person Harry was, he made such a difference in the world around him. No wonder he was so well-loved and admired by all who had the good fortune to know him.

Harry Roy Wood was preceded in death by his loving wife Jean Elizabeth Wood.

Harry Roy Wood is survived by his sons Keith (Barbara) Wood of Nanoose Bay BC, Brian (Sherry) Wood of Nanaimo BC, and his daughter Lindsay (Tim) Sutcliffe of Vernon BC; his brothers Donald (Sylvia) Wood of Glasgow, Scotland; David (Patricia) Wood of Theale, England; Charles (Cheryl) Wood of Beckenham, England and his sister Lorna Wood of Croydon, England; his grandchildren Tara Wood, James (Kimberly) Wood, Brooke (Miles) Steven, Mathew Wood, Keiran (Samantha) Wood, Brianna Wood; his great-grandchildren Paige Goodwin, Cole Steven, Kaiden Wood, Troy Wood, Hayden Steven with more currently under-construction; and his numerous nieces and nephews and other relatives.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Harry's home in Nanoose Bay on Saturday, June 21, 2014 from 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Harry loved a party, so come toast Harry with a glass of his wine and share your memories of him with us.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations in Harry's name be made to any of the following charities: Palliative Care Ward Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, BC Cancer Foundation, Alzheimer's Society of BC, Cystic Fibrosis Canada, Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, Canadian Liver Foundation or BC SPCA.