Worcester, VT

James Alexander Wood, III

Jim was born on June 28th, 1957 in Hartford, CT. The youngest of five siblings (Ed, Joann, Robert, and Lorie) to James Alexander Wood Jr. and Marion "Helen" (Ferris) Wood.

At age eight, Jim's family moved back to Vermont and opened the Putnam Rest Nursing Home in Putnamville, VT. Jim got to have an idyllic childhood of roaming the neighborhood, playing in the falls, and making mischief with all the other kids his age. Many of whom he was fortunate to call life-long friends. He graduated from U-32 in 1975 and then went on to Vermont Technical College, earning a degree in electrical engineering in 1982. Also in 1982, he married Aurele Gosselin. In 1984 they welcomed their first daughter Ashley and 1988 their second daughter Brady.

Jim worked for many years at Digital Company in Williston, VT, he took a few years in between but got a job in IT management at the VTAOT in 1994 and stayed there until 2017 when he retired. Jim took immense pride in his work at the state and made lasting friendships with co-workers that continued into retirement with monthly Friday night get-togethers that he always looked forward to.

Jim was incredibly talented when it came to building and house design. He bought his first home in 1983 on the Brook Road in Middlesex. He poured so much love into that house, but unfortunately, lost it to a fire in 1987. With amazing resiliency, Jim built another home in the same spot that was just as beautiful.

In 1995 Jim, along with his brother-in-law helped design and build another spectacular home on the land of his in-laws Pat and Arelene Gosselin in Calais. Here he was able to give his daughters an amazing childhood surrounded by cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. Then in 2013, he bought his final home in Worcester, VT. Jim was incredibly happy to be in Worcester surrounded by his childhood memories. He found many wonderful neighbors who became good friends. He also declared that he would make this home a landmark and by all accounts, he succeeded at that.

The thing that Jim was best at was being a father to his girls, and then to his son Aaron Alexander whom Ashley wed in 2009. Then fortunately a doting grandfather to four beautiful grandchildren Rex, Mayla, Gavin, and Shaumus. All of whom carry on his name in one or another.

Jim fought an incredibly difficult but brave fight with cancer for five years. He was able to be at home with his girls to say goodbye. Jim passed in the early morning of June 4, 2024, to the sounds of the owls calling for him.

Jim was predeceased by his father in 1983 and by his mother in 2016.

Jim's family will be hosting a celebration of Jim's amazing life at his home in Worcester, VT on what would have been his 67th birthday, June 28, 2024 at 3:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the National Life Cancer Center at https://www.cvmc.org/about-cvmc/donate, or the Brain Injury Alliance of Vermont at https://www.classy.org/campaign/2024-general-fundraising-page/c550986.