Joseph G. Woods

Woods, Joseph G.
SCHENECTADY - Joseph Gerard Woods, 65, passed away on Thursday, December 29, 2022.
He was predeceased by his loving parents, Norbert and Mary Woods and his uncle, Father Francis Woods, founding pastor of Saint Madeleine Sophie Church in Guilderland. Joe's parents were early proponents of raising children with Down's syndrome at home rather than in institutions.
Joe was enveloped in the love of his twelve brothers and sisters, including Anne Woods and Chuck Strehl, Norbert and Susan Woods, Frank and Beth Woods, Mary Helen and Mark Davidson, Patricia and Thomas Johnson, Catherine and Robert Hoffman, Mark Woods, Robert Woods, Therese and Craig Gallup, John Woods, Margaret Woods and Anthony Carbone, and James Woods. He loved watching the family grow with his 24 nieces and nephews and 25 great-nieces and nephews and still growing.
A graduate of Linton High School, Joe spent many years working at Schenectady ARC's Pine Ridge Industries in Glenville and Ellis Hospital. He received care services and participated in many programs offered by the Center for Disability Services (CFDS) in Albany. He participated in several Special Olympics winning multiple medals in gold, silver and bronze for swimming. He loved watching and talking about sports, especially the Yankees and the Union College hockey team. He was a happy and fun-loving person, very social, always wearing a smile, laughing, joking and teasing his family and friends. He thrived in the care of his second family with his housemates and CFDS staff at their Cambridge Court residence in Guilderland and their Park Avenue residence in Schenectady.
His family is grateful for the recent care he received from the staff of the fifth floor at Ellis Hospital.
Joe's interment next to his parents in the Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery will take place after a private service this spring.
Those wishing to remember Joe in a special way may make memorial contributions in his name to the following non-profit organizations: Schenectady ARC, 214 State St., Schenectady, NY, 12305, arcschenectady.org, 518-372-1160; or the Center for Disability Services, 314 S. Manning Blvd., Albany, NY, 12208, cfdsny.org, 518-437-5700.