Obituary
Terence Edward Wood
UPDATE –
A Memorial Service will be held for Terence on Saturday, April 30, 2022 at 2:00 pm from the North Peace Mennonite Brethren Church in Fort St. John, with a tea to follow in the lower auditorium.
With heavy hearts we announce the sudden passing of Terry Wood on February 2, 2022 at home in North Pine with loved ones by his side.
Terry was born in Grand Haven B.C at the Red cross medical outpost on May 4th 1931, the first child of Phil and Evelyn Wood, one of the earliest pioneering families in North Pine settling on their homestead in 1928. The Wood family was blessed with 5 other children, Phylis, Nelda, Harvey, Dick and Verna. Terry welcomed the role of the big brother and had a special relationship with each of his siblings.
Terry attended elementary school at North Pine until grade 10 where he graduated high school in 1950 in a graduating class of seven from North Peace Secondary School. Along with him on this journey was his cousin / best friend Donny Wood who was born one day before Terry. They spent many years together from the time they were born, until Don’s passing in 1971. Playing hardball, hunting, farming and many other interests were shared by these two. Among other farm duties, they were responsible for delivering hay to their grandfather Philip Henry Wood (Dad Wood) at his trapping cabin at Wood Lake in Rose Prairie during the winter.
In 1949 Terry along with a few other men from North Pine surveyed some land with Duncan Cran in Snyder Creek, on which he filed for three quarters in 1950. Over time he expanded his land at Snyder Creek to a total of 11 quarters which he broke, grew crops and ran cattle. This land is still being farmed by the family.
Over the years Terry had many seasonal jobs over the winter to support the farm. Before leaving to work these winter jobs, he would always ensure that there was adequate wood cut, hay stacked, and other needs were taken care of for the farm. He drove fuel truck for Ross H MacLean for approximately 12 years throughout Northern B.C and the territories. He also cat skinned for several years for Ardills near Ft Providence and Ft Simpson NWT. Many adventures and stories were gained over these years.
In December of 1973, Terry was introduced to a young nurse at a dance at the Montney Hall. The relationship grew quickly, and Terry married Carolyn Wright on February 15th 1975 at the United Church in Fort St John. A house was added on the west side of the Wood homestead where Terry and Carolyn raised their three children.
Terry farmed from 1950 until his passing, growing fescue, canola, grain, putting up hay and raising Black Angus cattle. His land base grew to seventeen arable quarters, and the lake quarter from Dad Wood’s trapline. He mentored many hired hands throughout these years, many of which went on to own their own farms. Terry was on the original board of directors for the Fort St John Seed Cleaning Co-op during the construction and startup, knowing how important this was to the North Peace farming community. He received awards for pedigree seeds and commercial angus breeder awards.
Terry was very community minded, always quick to offer a helping hand often without request or limitation to anyone who needed help. This was especially true if smoke was seen from the homestead on the hilltop.
Terry had a lifelong interest in geology, astronomy, hunting, wildlife watching, all outdoor activities, local history, and of course family. He enthusiastically shared these interests with others.
Terry is survived by his wife of 47 years, Carolyn and their children Catherine (Rob Lucas), Philip (Naomi, their son Jeffrey), and Ted (Candace Buchamer). His siblings Nelda (Arnold Bennet), Harvey (Margaret), Richard (Linda), and Verna (Bill MacLachlan), nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends and neighbors.
Terry is predeceased by his parents Phil Wood, Evelyn Wood, his sister and brother-in-law Harvey and Phylis Wiles, and his cousin Don Wood.
Terry will be greatly missed by his family, neighbors, and friends and leaves a large hole in the community. His quiet, steady demeanor, generosity, selflessness, sense of humor, and unwavering work ethic is something that we can all strive for. Rest in Peace, you have earned it, your chores have been completed.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy can be made to Fort St John Hospital Foundation – Click Here to donate, or a charity of your choice.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Terence Edward Wood, please visit our floral store.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Terence Edward Wood May 4 1931 February 2 2022 (age 90)..
Death notice for the town of: Fort-St-John, Province: Colombie britanique