Bernard "Woody" Wood, age 87, of Sebastian, Florida, passed from this life on Monday, April 24, 2023 at The VNA Hospice House in Vero Beach, Florida.

Born in Norfolk, Virginia, he was the son of the late Bernard Lee and Vivian G. (Gardner) Wood.  In his early years, Woody's family relocated to Hackensack, New York, where he grew up on a farm and attended a one room school house.

At the age of 18, he joined the United States Navy where he served two tours in the Vietnam War.  Woody often would recall his time in the military when he worked in support of the Corpsman who were specifically working with the medical needs of children in an island off the Vietnam coast.  While stationed aboard the USS Nitro in Colts Neck, New Jersey, he planned and built a recreation hall for Navy personnel, under budget and ahead of schedule.  Woody also remodeled the courtroom's and judge's chambers at the Navy base in Philadelphia.  For these two projects he was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal. Woody served aboard fourteen ships and received numerous awards and medals, including five good conduct awards,  the National Defense Medal, the Meritorious Unit and Navy Unit Commendations, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Following his Military Service, Woody worked as a Building Engineer, and additionally served as a locksmith upon the Queen Mary Ship in Long Beach, California. While living in California he was an active member of Good Shepherd Church where he severed as Director of the Oblates of Divine Mercy, and was a Eucharistic Minister visiting an Assisted Living Facility to administer the Holy Eucharist.

Woody will always be remembered for his love for his family.  He never missed a chance to spend time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn (Lepore) Wood; two daughters, Alice G. Wood and Mary E. and husband Austin Mills, all of Vero Beach; one son, Robert E. Wood and his wife Donna of Mascoutah, Illinois; and one brother, Thomas Wood of Milner, Georgia.  He will also be greatly missed by his seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, Woody was preceded in death by two brothers, William and John.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 am on Friday, May 5, 2023, at St. Helen Catholic Church, 2805 Tallahassee Avenue in Vero Beach.  Father Nicholas Zrallack will officiate. Interment with Military Honors will follow at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery in Mims, Florida.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, May 4, 2023, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home, 1950 20th Street in Vero Beach.

Expressions of sympathy may be offered to the family at CoxGiffordSeawinds.com.