Obituary of ROGER DOUGLAS WOOD

ROGER DOUGLAS WOOD

Roger passed away peacefully on Sept. 7, 2024, at Luther Home, where he had briefly resided.  Roger was born on January 14, 1932, in Leamington, Ontario. 

He was the third born and only son of four children born to Robert and Lily Wood.   As a youth, Roger helped with many chores on the family farm.  This included hand-picking tobacco and tying it up to dry.  After high school, Roger attended college in Detroit, Michigan, to learn radio and television electronics. He commuted from Leamington to Detroit by Greyhound bus for about 2 1/2 years in order to complete his education.  Upon graduating, Roger worked for a television manufacturer in Windsor.  He eventually secured employment with the Canadian Broadcasting Company in Toronto, and later with Channel 6 in Windsor.  Roger met his American wife, Carole, when her parents rented a summer cottage on the Canadian side of the border.  They married in 1956, and followed Roger's career opportunities to Winnipeg, Manitoba. Roger and Carole welcomed their son John, in 1957, and Timothy in 1960. In 1963, Roger and Carole purchased a brand new home in the growing community of Transcona.  

Roger had a great interest in trains, planes, and automobiles!  He joined the Model Railroad Association, and developed a truly impressive working railroad in his basement.  In the early 1980's, Roger and Carole participated in the Model Railroaders Convention in Winnipeg, and opened their home to touring groups and all the Transcona neighbors and their children.  His attention to detail and the artistry of the miniature railroad was a sight to behold!

As a young man, Roger had taken flying lessons, and earned his private pilot's license.  In later years, he turned his attention to building remote-controlled model aircraft. Once again, Roger worked with patience and precision to create working aircraft models. In the last decade of his life, Roger still enjoyed and filled his leisure time with building elaborate Lego models of every description. 

Roger worked for many years and made many friendships at CTV, and later at CBC until his retirement. Roger and Carole had many wonderful retirement years as snowbirds.  Roger drove the motorhome to Texas every December where they enjoyed the mild temperatures and the good company of their friends in the RV parks.  

After Carole's passing in 2015, Roger lived a quiet life, keeping occupied with hobbies and weekly lunches with long-time friends.  He was a kind and gentle man, well-respected in the neighborhood.  He will be missed.  

Roger was predeceased by his parents, his sisters, Margaret, Joy, and Shirley, and his wife of 59 years, Carole.  Left to cherish his memory are his sons, John, of Boissevain, MB, and Tim, of Killarney, MB, as well as nieces and extended family in Ontario and the US.

A Celebration of Life will take place on Tuesday, September 17, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Cropo Funeral Chapel Transcona, 1800 Day St.  Livestream of the service is available for those unable to attend.