Obituary of John Allan Wood

September 8, 1946 – Woodstock, New Brunswick

September 3, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

John died quietly, and peacefully at home after a long list of physical disabilities and disease finally caught up with him. His decline began with a nearly catastrophic fall down the stairs in May 2022. John faced pain, and disability with a mixture of stoicism, and stubbornness. If asked, he was always fine, fine.

He leaves to mourn: his wife, Susan, sons John (Laura) and William (Alia) and grandchild, A.J. In New Brunswick, he leaves his sister, Mary Wood, brother, Philip Wood (Nancy), and niece, Julie Wood.

Born in Woodstock, N.B, John spent his early childhood in Brownville Junction, Maine; then moved with his family to Saint John, N.B, where he graduated from High School, and then to Fredericton, where he graduated in 1970 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Science (Engineering), and in 1974 with a M.Sc. (Eng) from U.N.B. Susan and John met in the summer of 1972, when they were both graduate students; Susan in English literature, and John in Civil Engineering. They were married in May 1973, and moved immediately to Montreal, QC, where John began work as a Junior Engineer in the Bridges and Buildings Department of the Office of the Chief Engineer of CP Rail (now CPKC).

Like his father before him (Clarence C. Wood 1905-1994), John spent most of his working life with CP Rail, specializing in bridge design. He left briefly to join consulting firms; first with C.D. Howe Consulting in Montreal (Labrador City project) in the 1970s, and then to Reid Crowther Consulting in North Vancouver (New Westminster Sky-Train Line) 1982-1984. In 1996, the family moved with CP Rail to Calgary, AB, where John continued work in Gulf Canada Square until his retirement in 2010.

John was always what his mother (Elizabeth Mersereau Wood 1911-2005) called approvingly “a hard worker”.  In retirement, his long-time interest in genealogy widened to include the history of the people of New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia, including that of indigenous people, the Acadians, black settlers, and women pioneers. Up until the day he died, he was still posting memories and tickles; his last ‘memory’ posted on Facebook, was of Dr. Elizabeth Secord, an early New Brunswick doctor.

When John had his last medical procedure, a CT scan needle biopsy, and freezing of a small tumor, we worried about the results of this and the possible mistakes that could be made. John said, “Oh, I’m not worried. I always go into these things with a curious attitude; What will happen? What can I learn? This is something new.”

He may have been lying. We choose to think not.

A memorial service for John will be held at Knox United Church in Calgary on Monday, September 11th at 1:00 PM. Light refreshments to follow. The family will provide flowers. Donations to the Calgary Urban Projects Society (CUPS) are gratefully accepted, as are donations to the charity of your choice.