Chris Wood

He was born in Santa Barbara, CA, on October 30, 1949, the son of Valentine and Vera (Richard) Wood. Chris grew up in Huntington, NY and spent every summer in York Harbor, ME. He graduated from Valley Forge Military Academy in Wayne, PA in 1968.

After serving in the US Navy for several years, he married Mary Testa in North Adams, MA on September 11, 1976.

Chris had a love for music since childhood. His passion for it led him to spend much of his working life in the music industry. He played music professionally with many different bands country wide. He enjoyed many instruments, his main instrument being the bass. He owned a music store in the 1980's, E.U. Wurlitzer in Pittsfield, MA. For a period of time, he partnered with Retro Music's, Jeff Firestone. Before retirement in 2007, he owned a record company, 95 North.

Chris enjoyed reading, smoking cigars, and collecting antique thermometers. He also enjoyed photography and history. He avidly supported and participated in Cheshire County's AfterCare Prison Ministry. He enjoyed prayer, Scripture reading, and discussion with inmates, as well as working alongside Carl Babbitt in fostering former inmates back into the community.

He also supported and participated in the Worship Team of Monadnock Covenant Church. One of his strongest attributes was that he was "all things to all men." He was confident and consistent with individuals from all walks of life. Anyone who knew Chris, knew his love of conversation and was prepared to converse with him one foot from one another!

Chris is survived by his wife of 37 years, Mary of Swanzey; his daughter Emily G. W. Lawler of Swanzey; and granddaughter Vera Lawler also of Swanzey; his mother Vera R. Wood Vero Beach, FL; brother Jeremy Wood, and wife Marchetta, of Winter Park, FL, their children, daughter Ginny and spouse Phil Susa and their daughter Evie, and son Jay; and brother and sister-in-law James and Rose Testa, and their children and spouses, Victor and Jessica Gluckin and their children Eden and Esther, and Joseph and Lena Testa, all of Warwick, RI. His beloved son Jamie died in 2007.

Services for Chris will be held on Wednesday, April 9, 2014, 11:00 AM at the Monadnock Covenant Church, 90 Base Hill Road, Keene, NH. Calling Hours will be held on Tuesday evening, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM at Fletcher Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 33 Marlboro St., Keene, NH.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made in Chris' name to the After Care Prison Ministry, Monadnock Covenant Church, 90 Base Hill Road, Keene, NH 03431.