Fremont "Monty" Edward Wood

Fremont Edward Wood (Monty's) life: In his life Monty was many things. A child left motherless when she died giving birth to him and fatherless when his father, either unable or unwilling to take on the responsibility of raising his son, abandoned him to his wife's parents who were both in the 70s. Monty was 17 when he left Trout Creek, Ontario, Canada to begin a new life in New England. He married his first wife, Helen, when he was 18. They had six children and many grandchildren and were married 51 years. When she passed,he married Claire who was also a mother of six and had many grandchildren. She was married to Don, her first husband, for 49 years. Between the years of Monty's marriage and Claire's marriage and their marriage, they accumulated 113 years of marital bliss (with an occasional year of non-bliss) He served in both the Merchant Marines and in the Army During WWII, fellow soldiers, desperate to help find help for women giving birth, appointed him a mid-wife. When he told his Grandmother that he had delivered babies during his service, she slapped him hard across the face, not understanding that he had helped deliver babies, on thinking that he had fathered many babies. He studied Mormonism, Judaism Catholicism, Lutheranismm and to us Non-isms, any and all other isms. He was an Eucharistic minister and also taught religion to the youth in his parish. In Florida, he volunteered at both the Men's and Women's Federal Prisons where he taught bible studies and provided individual counseling. He was an Entrepreneur, a teacher, a paint chemist, a semi-pro hockey player, an avid Storm Basketball Fan, a proud member of the 100 Gallon Club (people who had given more than 100 gallons of blood over their life-time. Although he was born in the United States, he had dual citizenship because his mother was a Canadian. Though he spent the majority of his adult life in the US, he always referred to himself as a Canadian. Monty was a man more than capable of holding his own during heated political discussions around the dinning table. He was a lover of fine Scotch Whiskey, well written Poetry, an avid reader who frequently consumed a book a week, often reading out lout to Claire Sr, and an incredibly slow driver. He showed emotions readily. We remember his eyes filling with tears one Christmas Day as he played a game of "Mission Impossible" we had devised, diligently follow the hint and tips precisely as described to the location of keys to his new car - a Chrysler New yorker. On vacation in Tennessee a few years ago, he was helping to stain a mountain cabin. Always trying to be helpful, he woke at 4 one morning with the intent of finishing a small section that had yet to be stained, high on the upper eve of the cabin. The ladder didn't extend far enough to allow him to reach the section so he stepped on the top that was clearly marked "This Is Not A Step. Do Not Use It as One!" He spent months in ICU and Rehab after taking a fall that almost killed him and broke three bones in his back and hip and caused a permanent limp. When he fell sick this past march, I asked him if he would have ever though that two women from such a different lifestyle as his would be the very ones to take care of him at the end. His eyes opened wide and he said; "No, never i my wildest imagination.", then he winked. Monty rarely raised his voice, never swore and had a deep abiding faith in the Lord. he was always, always a gentleman who left all of us (family and friends) with wonderful memories. He lived his dash fully with much kindness to others and an immense love for his family. We will never, ever forget him. Rest in Peace, Monty.