FRANCIS WOOD

1927 - 2024

WOOD--Francis A. Francis A. Wood, Neurosurgeon, 97, of Montclair, NJ and Bethany Beach, DE, passed away peacefully at home August 13. Dr. Wood was born in Newark, New Jersey, on June 15, 1927, to Dr. Earl Wood, an otolaryngologist, and Flora Assmann Wood. He graduated from the Hotchkiss School, Yale University and Cornell University Medical College. He interned at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, where he met his future wife, Dr. Mary Caroline McNeal, a fellow intern. After completing Neurology and Neurosurgical residencies in Philadelphia, he settled in Montclair, NJ, pursuing a private practice in Neurosurgery and Neurology. Dr. Wood served as President of the Mountainside Hospital medical staff, retiring from active practice in 1989. Dr. Wood's many volunteer activities included chairing the Board of the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in West Orange, NJ, chairing the Montclair Chapter of the American Red Cross, as well as the Family Service Bureau of Newark. He consulted for the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission for 50 years and was a Trustee of the Newark Museum of Art for 35 years. An avid outdoorsman, Dr. Wood summited the Matterhorn, trekked to the base camp of Mt. Everest and enjoyed playing a variety of sports. Predeceased by his wife, Mary, he is survived by four children, nine grandchildren and one great grandchild. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, August 22, 11:00am at Central Presbyterian Church, 46 Park Street, Montclair, NJ 07042. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Newark Museum of Art at 49 Washington Street, Newark, NJ 07102, or Central Presbyterian Church.