John Wood made his mark in business, but it is his caring nature and love of the city that will be his legacy, say those that knew him.
Wood, a local business leader, philanthropist and longtime Rotarian, died Christmas Day. He was 78.
He is survived by wife Barbara and children Susan Frasson and David Wood, as well as his six grandchildren.
Reached by phone Thursday, David Wood said his father was proud to be a part of the community in Guelph and has long been an advocate for giving back.
“Throughout his entire life my father believed in giving back to the community. We are only stewards of the good fortune that we receive and it’s our obligation to share that good fortune with others," said David.
Wood was the longtime president of W.C. Wood Company and chairman of the board of Danby Products. In 2015, Wood was presented with a lifetime achievement award by the Guelph Chamber of Commerce.
Guelph General Hospital recently renamed the building’s lobby in recognition of a $2 million gift from John and Barbara Wood.
Suzanne Bone, CEO of The Foundation of Guelph General Hospital, said John and Barbara Wood have been donors to the hospital for more than 30 years personally, as well as through the W. C. Wood Company and W. C. Wood Foundation.
Reached by phone Thursday, Bone said she will never forget the moment John and Barbara walked into her office to tell her about the $2 million gift.
"John and Barb have been dedicated supporters for literally decades," said Bone. "They are a pillar of the community."
When the donation was announced Dec. 1, Bone said the gift is important in many ways.
“The funds will not only help our amazing staff, midwives and physicians provide quality, patient-centred care, but we hope it will also serve as a source of inspiration for others. For all of this, we are deeply grateful,” said Bone.
Barbara Wood said the recently-announced gifts have been in the planning stages for some time.
"It wasn't spur of the moment," said Barbara. "It was something he wanted to do."
David said the most recent gifts are probably the most public example's of his parents' philanthropy.
“I think my father really believed that business was a means in which all could benefit," said David.
"He believed if you provide good quality goods and services you customers are better off. If you provide a safe working environment where employees are treated with respect and have opportunities for promotion they can take care of their family and paid a good wage with good benefits they will be better off."
“It was really important to my dad to always give back to the community,” said Wood's daughter Susan.
Lloyd Longfield, former Chamber of Commerce president and current member of parliament for Guelph, knew Wood for decades as a successful businessperson, as well as through the Rotary Club.
Longfield recalls when Wood set up a retirement program for his staff during the 1980s, when interest rates were high.
“He told me that was one of his best business accomplishments — taking care of his staff,” said Longfield. “He was definitely an institution, but he was just a really caring person and great businessman.”
Longfield said Wood was the kind of person that could be counted on.
“If there was ever something that could use his attention, he would step in. He was just a really good community guy. Guelph will definitely miss him,” said Longfield.
For many years, John and Barbara have sponsored Handel's The Messiah at the River Run Centre.
“They were both big believers in music,” said David.
Mayor Cam Guthrie said many will remember Wood’s business acumen, how he employed hundreds of Guelphites over the years or how he was instrumental in building the city with his land developments.
“If you only remembered him for those things you'd be missing what his really legacy was. Unashamedly loving his family, his friends and our community,” said Guthrie.
“Blessing our city with his time and financial contributions to education, healthcare and more. He was and will always be an example of someone who was living life to the fullest and he will be dearly missed.”
Earlier this month, the University of Guelph announced a new $7-million John F. Wood Centre for Innovation in Business Learning.
At the time, U of G president Franco Vaccarino called the gift ‘transformational’ for the university, allowing it to redefine the future of business education.
Two months earlier to the U of G announcement, Wood also pledged the same amount toward the University of Western Ontario’s Ivey Business School.
Visitation is Friday, Dec. 28, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Gilbert MacIntyre and Son Funeral Home, Hart Chapel. Funeral service will be held Saturday, Dec. 29, at Dublin Street United Church at 1 p.m., with a private family interment to follow.
In his obituary, Wood’s family noted his support of various charities and asked for a donation to be made to the charity of one’s choice in lieu of flowers.
