Montpelier, VT Noel George Wood of Montpelier died and went to heaven to join his beloved first grandchild, Andrew Bedard, on March 28, just after returning home from Sunday Mass. Noel was born December 22, 1931 in St. Johnsbury, VT, to the late George Levi and Eugenie (Jennie Ladrie) Wood. He attended school in St. Johnsbury, graduating from St. Johnsbury Academy in 1950. During the Korean Conflict, Noel proudly served his country in Germany with the Vermont National Guard 172nd Infantry Division. He was a lifetime 3rd degree member of the Bishop Brady Council of the Knights of Columbus and a 4th degree member of the Charles W. Jasman Assembly. On July 7, 1956, Noel and Jeannine Gagne of Montpelier were married in St. Augustine's Catholic Church. In rapid order they had 5 children: Candace, George, Douglas, Philip and Stephen. Noel was a very hard worker who always provided for his family. He was employed with his brother, Bob, at Wood Brothers Market in St. Johnsbury for several years prior to marriage and helped to support his widowed mother. He then trained as a manager at McClellan's store in Montpelier, where he met the love of his life, Jeannine. Noel was a long-time employee of the State of Vermont, Dept. of Employment Security, from which he retired in 1990. He also worked a 2nd job for numerous years at First National Supermarket, until he finally agreed to let Jeannine return to work after more than a dozen years at home raising their children. Noel and Jeannine were very excited as they watched the building of their brand new house on Berlin St. and moved in on Nov. 4, 1971. They were more excited 20 years later when they were able to burn the mortgage. Noel loved and was exceedingly proud of his children and grandchildren. He was the perfect example of "If I'd known grandchildren were so much fun, I would have had them first!" He liked showing off his Christmas decorations and enjoyed the help of his grandchildren in putting them up. He liked order and tidiness – the pantry was arranged like a mini-mart. Noel loved oldies music, but detested loud music, especially the bass "BOOM BOOM" from passing cars. He was very passionate about his political views and could argue for hours. Noel claimed to hate grocery shopping, yet spent hours every Friday morning at the Price Chopper where Steve works, talking to everyone he met. He also liked to drop by the Hannaford's where 3 of his grandchildren and an old buddy from First National work. As Jeannine grew frailer from her arthritis and other health problems, Noel took over more household chores, along with his son George. It wasn't done without a lot of grumbling, yet it was done with a great deal of love. Noel is survived by Jeannine, his wife of nearly 54 years; daughter Candy Bedard, husband Brian and their son Kyle of Winooski; son George of Berlin and his daughters Natasha, Victoria and Brittany of Barre; son Doug of Hudson, NH; son Phil, wife Karen, and their daughter Erin and stepson Patrick McInnis of Litchfield, NH; son Steve, wife Terri and their children Kaitlyn and Ben of Barre. He was predeceased by his parents and brothers Reginald, Robert and Gerald Wood and in 2008 by his beloved "#1" grandson, Andrew Bedard. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, March 30, 2010 from 6-9 p.m at the Guare & Sons Funeral Home, 30 School Street, Montpelier, VT 05602. The funeral mass will be held Wed. March 31 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Augustine's church. Inurnment will be in the Berlin Corners Cemetery at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the "St. Augustine's Furnace Fund", c/o Rev. Michael Augustinowitz, 16 Barre Street, Montpelier, VT 05602.