James Randolph Wood, (aka Jim or the Skybird) 84, passed away peacefully on November 5, 2021. Jim was born in Lewiston, Maine in 1937 to Grace (Heanssler) and Ernest Wood. He attended Lewiston schools and was a proud patrol boy, and drummer in the school band.
After graduating high school in 1955, Jim followed in his older brothers’ footsteps into the Air National Guard (MAINEiacs) where he began his career as a RADAR technician.
A life changing event happened in October 1961, when a fated flat tire, landed his future wife, Norma, in the driveway of his family’s summer retreat in Winthrop. After marrying in 1963, their family began to grow in the next couple of years with the arrival of their two sons.
In 1967, Jim and his young family moved to Tucson, AZ where he would work on a temporary assignment for two years with the Arizona Air National Guard. While in AZ, Jim met many wonderful, lifelong friends. In tow, as they returned to Maine, was the newest member the family, a daughter.
In 1976, the MeANG changed their aircraft and Jim accepted the challenge to become one of the first boom operators in Maine. One of his proudest moments in his military career, was when he pulled the lucky straw and was part of the maiden crew, as a boomer, to fly the first tanker into the MeANG base.
Flying was Jim’s passion. He started the MeANG Aero Club and was the president for several years. He proudly gave many people their first experience in an airplane. He was also a proud member of the Civil Air Patrol for many years.
After a 34-year career Jim retired to his favorite spot: Wilson Pond in Winthrop. Jim joined the North Monmouth Community Church and was a proud, devout, Christian. He loved his church family beyond words. He was a deacon emeritus, instrumental in building the audio/visual system for the church, recording services for those unable to attend, and active in facilitating Bible studies.
In 2015, Jim returned to Bangor in order to be closer to his family. He was blessed with many dear friends and family and was loved by all who knew him.
Jim is survived by his eldest brother, Clifton Wood; former wife, Norma Satori; sons Curtis (Mindy) and Craig (Lisa); daughter Sheila (Patrick); grandchildren, Zachary, Riley, Gavin, Jessa, Emily, Kyle, Lindsay, and Jessica. Jim especially enjoyed time spent with his great-grandchildren; Cohen and Rhonin. Jim was predeceased by his parents, his brother, Donald, and his sister, Frances.
Jim also leaves behind many beloved nieces, nephews, various family members, and an immeasurable number of dear friends. The family would like to express a special thank you to Clyde Dyer, Dolores Young, Pastor Ed Spencer, his wonderful neighbors on Silver Road, and the St. Joseph’s hospice team for their help in making Jim’s final months painless, peaceful, and enriched.
Relatives and friends are invited to call 5 pm to 7 pm Saturday, November 13, 2021 at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor, where a funeral service will be held 1 pm. Sunday, November 14, 2021. Interment with military honors will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Bangor.
To view a live stream of the service, and to leave condolences, visit BrookingsSmith.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Wood, please visit our flower store.
After graduating high school in 1955, Jim followed in his older brothers’ footsteps into the Air National Guard (MAINEiacs) where he began his career as a RADAR technician.
A life changing event happened in October 1961, when a fated flat tire, landed his future wife, Norma, in the driveway of his family’s summer retreat in Winthrop. After marrying in 1963, their family began to grow in the next couple of years with the arrival of their two sons.
In 1967, Jim and his young family moved to Tucson, AZ where he would work on a temporary assignment for two years with the Arizona Air National Guard. While in AZ, Jim met many wonderful, lifelong friends. In tow, as they returned to Maine, was the newest member the family, a daughter.
In 1976, the MeANG changed their aircraft and Jim accepted the challenge to become one of the first boom operators in Maine. One of his proudest moments in his military career, was when he pulled the lucky straw and was part of the maiden crew, as a boomer, to fly the first tanker into the MeANG base.
Flying was Jim’s passion. He started the MeANG Aero Club and was the president for several years. He proudly gave many people their first experience in an airplane. He was also a proud member of the Civil Air Patrol for many years.
After a 34-year career Jim retired to his favorite spot: Wilson Pond in Winthrop. Jim joined the North Monmouth Community Church and was a proud, devout, Christian. He loved his church family beyond words. He was a deacon emeritus, instrumental in building the audio/visual system for the church, recording services for those unable to attend, and active in facilitating Bible studies.
In 2015, Jim returned to Bangor in order to be closer to his family. He was blessed with many dear friends and family and was loved by all who knew him.
Jim is survived by his eldest brother, Clifton Wood; former wife, Norma Satori; sons Curtis (Mindy) and Craig (Lisa); daughter Sheila (Patrick); grandchildren, Zachary, Riley, Gavin, Jessa, Emily, Kyle, Lindsay, and Jessica. Jim especially enjoyed time spent with his great-grandchildren; Cohen and Rhonin. Jim was predeceased by his parents, his brother, Donald, and his sister, Frances.
Jim also leaves behind many beloved nieces, nephews, various family members, and an immeasurable number of dear friends. The family would like to express a special thank you to Clyde Dyer, Dolores Young, Pastor Ed Spencer, his wonderful neighbors on Silver Road, and the St. Joseph’s hospice team for their help in making Jim’s final months painless, peaceful, and enriched.
Relatives and friends are invited to call 5 pm to 7 pm Saturday, November 13, 2021 at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor, where a funeral service will be held 1 pm. Sunday, November 14, 2021. Interment with military honors will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Bangor.
To view a live stream of the service, and to leave condolences, visit BrookingsSmith.com.
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