Noel George Wood of Montpelier died and went to heaven to join his
beloved first grandchild, Andrew Bedard, on March 28, just after
returning home from Sunday Mass. Noel was born Dec. 22, 1931, in
St. Johnsbury, Vt., to the late George Levi and Eugenie (Jennie Ladrie)
Wood. He attended school in St. Johnsbury, graduating from St.
Johnsbury Academy in 1950. During the Korean War, Noel proudly
served his country in Germany with the Vermont National Guard
172nd Infantry Division. He was a lifetime third-degree member of
the Bishop Brady Council of the Knights of Columbus and a
fourth-degree member of the Charles W. Jasman Assembly. On July 7, 1956,
Noel and Jeannine Gagne of Montpelier were married in St.
Augustine's Catholic Church. In rapid order they had five children:
Candace, George, Douglas, Philip and Stephen. Noel was a very hard
worker who always provided for his family. He was employed with
his brother, Bob, at Wood Brothers Market in St. Johnsbury for
several years prior to marriage and helped to support his widowed
mother. He then trained as a manager at McClellan's store in
Montpelier, where he met the love of his life, Jeannine. Noel was a
long-time employee of the state of Vermont, Department of
Employment Security, from which he retired in 1990. He also worked
a second job for numerous years at First National Supermarket, until
he finally agreed to let Jeannine return to work after more than a
dozen years at home raising their children. Noel and Jeannine were
very excited as they watched the building of their brand new house
on Berlin Street and moved in on Nov. 4, 1971. They were more
excited 20 years later when they were able to burn the mortgage.
Noel loved and was exceedingly proud of his children and
grandchildren. He was the perfect example of "If I'd known
grandchildren were so much fun, I would have had them first!" He
liked showing off his Christmas decorations and enjoyed the help of
his grandchildren in putting them up. He liked order and tidiness - the
pantry was arranged like a mini-mart. Noel loved oldies music, but
detested loud music, especially the bass "BOOM BOOM" from passing
cars. He was very passionate about his political views and could
argue for hours. Noel claimed to hate grocery shopping, yet spent
hours every Friday morning at Price Chopper, where Steve works,
talking to everyone he met. He also liked to drop by the Hannaford's
where three of his grandchildren and an old buddy from First
National work. As Jeannine grew frailer from her arthritis and other
health problems, Noel took over more household chores, along with
his son George. It wasn't done without a lot of grumbling, yet it was
done with a great deal of love. Noel is survived by Jeannine, his wife
of nearly 54 years; daughter Candy Bedard, husband Brian and their
son Kyle of Winooski; son George of Berlin and his daughters
Natasha, Victoria and Brittany of Barre; son Doug of Hudson, N.H.;
son Phil, wife Karen and their daughter Erin and stepson Patrick
McInnis of Litchfield, N.H.; son Steve, wife Terri and their children
Kaitlyn and Ben of Barre. He was predeceased by his parents and
brothers Reginald, Robert and Gerald Wood and in 2008 by his
beloved "No. 1" grandson, Andrew Bedard. Calling hours will be held
on Tuesday, March 30, 2010, from 6 to 9 p.m at Guare & Sons Funeral
Home, 30 School St., Montpelier, VT 05602. The funeral mass will be
held Wednesday March 31 at 11 a.m. at St. Augustine's Church.
Internment will be in Berlin Corners Cemetery at the convenience of
the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to
the St. Augustine's Furnace Fund, c/o Rev. Michael Augustinowitz, 16
Barre St., Montpelier, VT 05602.
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