Dennis WOOD

DENNIS HAROLD WOOD In his 96th year, Dennis passed away peacefully after experiencing a sudden and unexpected heart attack on July 15, 2018. Born in London, England on January 22, 1922, to Sgt. Fred H. (veteran of WWI) and Marie Wood, he spent his early years in London until he enlisted in the Royal Air Force and was posted to Canada as part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. This proved to be a formative part of his life, providing a lifetime of memories as he was posted across Canada from the Service Flying Training School at North Battleford, Saskatchewan, the Flying Instructor School at Vulcan, Alberta, the Air Navigation School at Goderich/Port Albert, Ontario and finally to CFS Debert, Nova Scotia (where he trained to fly Mosquito aircraft prior to being posted back to England as a Flight Lieutenant in May 1945). His memory of this time in his life remained sharp and detailed to the very last days of his life. In January 1944, Dennis met the love of his life, Audrey, in Toronto, while he was on leave from Port Albert. They married in April 1944 and their only child, Dennis Harold Jr., was born in April 1945. Audrey, along with their new baby, followed Dennis to England in August 1945. They returned to Canada two years later and set about creating a life in Toronto in the difficult post-war period. His marriage to Audrey lasted 69 years until she died in 2013. After several difficult years trying to get on his feet, in the early 1950's Dennis landed a position with the National Life Assurance Company with whom he spent the rest of his business life, eventually retiring as a Vice President. He was an exemplar of the importance of continuing education, ultimately passing his actuarial exams and playing a leadership role in integrating computers into the business operations of the company. Dennis was always a steady, quiet source of loving support to his wife and son - from delivering his son's newspapers when he was ill, to coaching his hockey teams, to helping his wife with the laundry - while finding time to serve as President of the leading Square Dancing association of his time and learning how to call square dances. He also played a mean hand of bridge. Retiring in 1984, he spent many happy years with Audrey and their loyal canines at their home in Toronto and at their cottage in Prince Edward County. They also took annual trips to visit his family in the UK and their daughter-in-law's family in Florida. His unbending love and care for Audrey at the family home during her last difficult years suffering with Lewy Body dementia was his finest hour - the final enduring statement of devotion to his true love. Sadly missed by his son, Dennis; daughter-in-law, Gladys De Schepper (and her brother John); sister-in-law, Rosamond MacDonald (Gordon); relatives in Canada, the UK and the US; and his godchild, Barbara Khalil. Predeceased by his wife, Audrey; brother, Fred; sister, Olive; mother, Marie; and father, Fred. We wish to give heartfelt thanks to Dennis' home caregiver Samia Mohammed Said who, in the 5 years following Audrey's death, made it possible for Dennis to continue to live in his family home. He looked forward to her daily visits, nutritious meals, constant good cheer, conversations and deep affection. We also thank the caring staff of Rouge Valley Centenary Hospital. Dearest Father, the price of love is loss, which is felt most painfully at this time. A void has been created which used to be filled by your steady support, intelligent guidance, quiet love and remarkable inner strength. Just knowing that you were there was a continuing comfort. We will always love you. Our memories will keep you with us. Per Ardua Ad Astra ('Through adversity to the stars' -RAF Motto) Visitation will be on July 30th from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the McDougall & Brown Funeral Home, 2900 Kingston Road, Scarborough, M1M 1N5 (416-267-4656). A Veteran's Funeral Service will be held at the McDougall & Brown Funeral Home on July 31st at 11 a.m., followed by a reception at the funeral home. Interment will take place on July 31st at 2:30 p.m. at Pine Hills Cemetery, 625 Birchmount Road, Scarborough, M1K 1R1. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Dennis' memory to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. On-line condolences may be placed at www.mcdbrownscarb.ca.