Richard Wood
Mystic — Richard M. Wood, 85, of Mystic, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 21, 2016, at his Dogwood Lane home with his wife and family by his side.
Born July 11, 1930, in Providence, Richard was the son of John G. and Alice (Ehrmark) Wood. He attended East Providence and South Kingstown, R.I., public schools and went on to attend the University of Rhode Island, graduating in 1955 with a bachelor of science degree in industrial management.
Following his sophomore year at URI, his National Guard Reserve unit was deployed to Germany as part of the army of occupation during the time of the Korean War. After his honorable discharge from the Army in 1952, he returned to URI to complete his degree.
Richard married Jean Berry on Sept. 17, 1955, in Cranston, R.I. Dick and Jean first met at URI in 1954 during a Theory of Logic philosophy class in which his future wife served as his tutor. Initial employment opportunities led the newlyweds to the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Baltimore and Pittsburgh, but they soon returned to New England to settle and raise their family in Mystic.
For 35 years Richard worked at General Dynamics, Electric Boat Division, and at the time of his retirement, was a nuclear refueling engineer. He developed mesothelioma late in life due to asbestos exposure. He was a long-standing member, until his death, of the Town of Groton Shellfish Commission and active in the management of shellfish resources in Groton’s coastal waters.
Richard grew up on and around the waters of Point Judith (Salt Pond) in Rhode Island, was a lifeguard in Narragansett and, as a hunter and gatherer at heart, spent much time perfecting his (frequently discussed and debated) techniques for harvesting shellfish, fishing for summer fluke, and picking blueberries in nearby fields. He was a great neighbor, always ready and more than willing to lend a hand and a tool, fix an engine, or tell a story. Richard loved the pace of a summer day based on the tides, weather, and his harvest and catch. A clams casino dish on a sunny afternoon porch filled with family and neighbors captures his true element and joy.
In celebration of their 60th wedding anniversary last summer, Richard, Jean and their entire family traveled to Utah and Arizona visiting Zion, Bryce, Lake Powell and the Grand Canyon. This memorable RV trip was a highlight of Richard’s life.
Richard leaves his wife Jean; two sons and their wives, Glenn and Denise Clinton of Ipswich, Mass., and Craig and Carolyn Wood of Narragansett, R.I.; and a daughter and her husband, June and Jason Cahill of Ellington. He also leaves eight adored grandchildren, Jimmy, C.J., Aidan, Molly, Jared, Connor, Ethan and McKenna; and a cherished cousin, Sharyn McGrory Bell.
Calling hours are from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 25, at the Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl St., Mystic. The funeral service will be conducted at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 26, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 15 Pearl St., Mystic. A private burial service will be held on Friday, May 27, at the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Exeter.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Richard’s memory to Salt Ponds Coalition (www.saltpondscoaltion.org), an organization dedicated to the preservation and restoration of salt ponds along southern Rhode Island’s coastline, or Masonicare Home Health and Hospice Care (www.masonicare.org/ mcf).