John Calvin Wood

John Calvin Wood, “a.k.a “Pop” of Turner, age 78 passed into eternity to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on January 22, 2026. He died after many years of medical complications attributed to exposure to agent orange while serving in the air force in Vietnam.

John was born on April 25, 1947 in Lewiston to Gilbert P. and Catherine MacDonald at Central Maine General Hospital. He grew up in Lewiston and Greene attending the Patton schoolhouse continuing at Greene Central and graduated from Leavitt Institute in Turner in June 1965. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force only one week after graduation, attended basic training at Lackland Air Base in Texas. John was in Vietnam during the Tet offensive in January 1968, running for his life several times during mortar attacks. Upon being honorably discharged, he began working for Albany Felt in Monmouth, then he began a 43-year cherished career with the Lewiston Sun in March 1970 retiring in July 2013.

John married Lindy Lee Varney on October 11, 1975, and they celebrated 50 years together just last fall. He truly enjoyed all styles of music, but especially The Bee Gees. Lindy always said he was the best chair dancer she ever knew. They traveled extensively, visiting Scotland, the land of his mother; France, Dubai and the Island of Mauritius, the land of our French son, Nicolas and his bride Telvina; Northern Ireland to visit our Irish daughter Diane and Tony and family; Canada, Mexico, and at least 42 of 50 states. John and babies were drawn to each other. He could hold a baby for hours. They would sleep and he would talk gibberish. He enjoyed a great cup of coffee, especially a dark roast at mid-morning with a donut, bagel or English muffin. He truly enjoyed mowing his oversized lawn and snow blowing his 500-foot driveway.

He is survived by Lindy, his first and only wife; two brothers, Alan G and Shelia Wood and Mark D. Wood; his heart adopted children and grandchildren: Wesley; Diane and Tony, Joshua, Benjamin and Amy; Julie and Gary McArdle, Emmet, Jude and Cohen; Terence Man-Ching and Annette, Owen and Olivia; Nicolas and Telvina; Rene and Hayley, Noah and Lucia; S2 (Steve Moitozo); Krista and Jack; Chandler and Lisa. Maddie and Tessa; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his grandparents, John C and Sylvia Parker Wood and John and Jesse MacDonald; his parents; his nephew, Ross Wood; his sister-in- laws, Margit Wood, Judy Wood, and Kathi Varney; his in-laws George and Dorothy Varney; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. John was also a dedicated New York Yankees and NY Giants Fan.

Our family would like to acknowledge our gratitude to the VA, and Andwell Hospice Services for their extraordinary care and support over the years, especially Dr. Kathleen Harper, Christopher Ross, Danny, Julie, Michele, Richard, Suzanne, Francine, Karen, and many others.

“A veteran – whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve – is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to The United States of America, for an amount up to, and including their life.”

** Per the request of John please wear bright clothing to celebrate his life. **