Raymond A. Wood

Captain Raymond A. Wood, Jr., 71, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, retired ,of Stone Ridge, NY, passed peacefully Wednesday morning, January 7, 2015 at Health Alliance Hospital, Broadway Campus, Kingston. He was born July 17, 1943 in Poughkeepsie, the son of the late Raymond and Catherine Wood.


Raymond was a graduate of New York State Forest Ranger School and had worked for NYS Department of Environmental Conservation for 38 years, retiring as a Captain. He was a parishioner of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church.


In his position as Captain, Raymond led the efforts of the New York State Forest Rangers ("his men and women") of Region 3 (Ulster, Orange, Sullivan, Rockland, Dutchess and Putnam Counties) in the discharge of their charter to protect the lands and people. Raymond carried out his role with a sense of duty combined with his own independent perspective and loyalty to his Rangers. New York State Forest Rangers have a well earned reputation for their efforts in the realm of fire management in New York's forests, wild lands and wilderness. In addition to fire management, as Captain, Raymond led the Forest Rangers of Region 3 in their duties of Search and Rescue, Law Enforcement, and Education and Outreach.


Raymond was cited for his efforts regarding fire prevention education, specifically with regard to coordinating many special appearances of Smokey Bear. He also received from then Governor George Pataki, a special citation for his "hard work and dedication during New York State's response efforts" to the attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.


He was the husband of Kathleen Broderick Wood, they wed on February 27, 1965; father of Raymond A. Wood III and his wife, Mary Anne of Wappingers Falls; John B. Wood of Manhattan and Timothy M. Wood and his wife, Jessica of Carmel Valley, CA; his grandchildren, Raymond "RJ" Wood, IV, Alex, Maggie and Katie Wood; siblings Judy Pankenier, Kathy Lemyre and James Wood and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a sister, Ann Sarinick.


Entrusted to the care of the A. Carr & Son Funeral Home, 65 Lucas Ave, Kingston. The family will receive their friends on Sunday from 3 - 6 pm


The procession will form on Monday at 10:00 a.m. A mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church (address below). Burial in Fairview Cemetery, Fairview Cemetery Lane, Stone Ridge.


The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, 242 Wall Street, Kingston, NY 12401. To leave an expression of sympathy, please visit www.KeyserCarr.com


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