Bruce Wood

1927 - 2017

The Rev. Dr, Bruce H. Wood, 89, of Bethany, Connecticut, passed away on June 24, 2017 in Trumbull, CT, after graciously succumbing to Alzheimer's disease. Bruce was born in Beverly, MA on December 24, 1927. He was the son of Harry E. Wood and Gertrude H. (Crocker) Wood and brother to David E. Wood. He was raised on Grafton Farm in Essex, Massachusetts and later Nyala Farm in Greensfarms, Westport, Connecticut. Bruce served in the Army Air Force from 1946 - 1949 then he joined The Civil Air Patrol from 1949 - 1953 where he served in the role of Chaplin. Bruce was a proud member of the Bethany VFW Post 2448. In 1951 Bruce became a Licensed Lay Preacher. In 1952 he became a fully Licensed Methodist Council Preacher and in 1963 he became an Ordained Congregational Clergy. Bruce received his Bachelors degree from University of Bridgeport, his Masters in Counseling from University of Connecticut and his Doctorate in Education at University of Massachusetts in 1968. He was a graduate professor at Southern CT State University from 1968-1988. Bruce was honored with the title of Professor Emeritus of Counseling and School Psychology and remained with the University as a Consulting Psychologist until 1998. During his career in education and counseling Bruce also served as a Methodist and Congregational clergy from 1951-2013, serving many small country churches throughout New England. Bruce leaves behind his son Scott B. Wood and Daughter-In-Law Ena (Bentley) Wood, Virginia, daughter, Carrie C. (Wood) Joseph, Connecticut , daughter, Heather R. (Wood) Boyle-Townsend, Son-In-Law John A. Townsend, Kansas and grandchildren Riley Boyle, Grace Boyle, Jack Townsend and Jordan Townsend. Bruce's life will be honored at The Second Congregation Church of Griswold, 129 East Main Street, Jewett City, Connecticut on Friday, June 30, 2017, at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to The Disabled American Veterans Association and/or The Second Congregational Church of Griswold, Jewett City, CT. Bruce will be remembered for his for his current, intelligent and meaningful sermons, colorful stories, his joy and gratitude for life and his love of flying, old trucks, cars and tractors. He treasured meaningful time spent with family, good friends and strangers alike, over coffee and a hard roll. He will be missed, by so many, beyond measure.