Gary Brent Wood

CARTHAGE- Gary Brent Wood, age 77, died peacefully on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at the Carthage Area Hospital surrounded by his loving wife Anna Mae. Gary was born on February 20, 1947, in Gouverneur, NY to the late John Ellsworth & Ethel Irene “Whitford” Wood. He graduated from Edward Central High School in 1966, he was a part-time student at Monroe Community College, Rochester, New York State Municipal Police Academy, and Jefferson Community College. 

Calling hours will be held on Monday, December 9, 2024, from 3:00 pm-6:00 pm at the Lundy Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Inc. located at 500 State Street Carthage, NY 13619. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at 11:00 am with Vicky Landers, officiating, and will be held at the United Community Church at 112 N. School Street, Carthage NY 13619. A Burial will be held at the Hillside Cemetery in Champion at the convenience of his family. 

Gary served 8 years in the Navy Reserves serving at Naval Reserve Centers in Watertown, New York; Wilmington, S.C.; New Orleans, LA; and also, the Naval Criminal Intelligence Services he was assigned as Master at Arms and served aboard the Frigate, USS Samuel Eliot Morrison, FFG-13, he received his Honorable Discharge as Petty Officer First Class. 

He married Anna Mae Astafan on September 2, 1989, at the United Community Church in Carthage. 

Mr. Wood started his career in 1966 with the Old New York State Conservation Department working in trail and road construction, tree planting, boundary marking, and fish stocking in St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties. Law Enforcement working as Town Constable for the Town of Edwards, for several years, later moving to Rochester he worked in film production at Eastman Kodak from 1971-1974 he was stock room clerk at the former Newton Falls Paper Mill and then to the City of Watertown and became a Police Patrolman and a New York State Breathalyzer Operator. He served as Treasurer and then was elected President of the Watertown Police Benevolent Association. Mr. Wood was also on the Watertown PBA Pistol Team and received numerous awards and trophies, Gary also served as a Police Officer for the Village of Antwerp. In total Mr. Wood has 29 years of public service.

In 1980 he received the Silver Star Award from the Northern Federation of Law Enforcement Officers when off duty he saved the life of a Carthage resident involved in a Motor Vehicle accident by performing life-saving techniques until medical assistance arrived.

Following his Police Career Mr. Wood has worn many “hats” he became certified by the State of New York as a Code Enforcement Officer in 1993 and also served as a Zoning Officer and held employment with the Town of Wilna, as Past Chairman of the Republican Party, as well as employment with the Town of Rutland and the Villages of Carthage and West Carthage, also serving as a FEMA certified Floodplain Manager for Carthage and West Carthage from February 1993 to May 2002.

Gary is also survived by his wife of 35 years, Anna Mae Wood, Carthage; his children, Sabrina Rene Cummins, Deferiet; Jonathon Alan (Abbey) Wood, Oregon; his grandchildren, Shannon (Aaron) Marie Naklick and Brent Julius Cummins, along with his two great-grandchildren, Aiden & Amelia; a sister, Beverly A. (John) Towne, Arizona; and his brother Roland L. (Rita) Wood, Edwards; a sister-in-law Paula Wood, Florida; he is also survived by many wonderful nieces and nephews, along with the mother of his children, Donna Perry, of Watertown.

He is predeceased by his parents, John E. and Ethel I. (Whitford) Wood; a sister, Janice (Kenneth) J. Brown and his brothers, John A. (Shirley) Wood, James E. “Jim” (Betty) Wood, Donald T. (Linda) Wood Sr., and Ronald L. “Ronnie” Wood.

Gary enjoyed working on genealogy and history and was the American Legion Historian for 25 dedicated years, in 2001 he was named Legionnaire of the Year, and he also served as finance officer, trustee, and public relations officer. Gary was a member of the United Community Church, serving as an elder and leading Church Worship services. Gary also served as a trustee, and as a Church Moderator and did the Walk to Emmaus #89. 

He was a member of the Boy Scouts of America, Carthage American Legion Post #789, Carthage Elks Lodge BPOE # 1762, Police Conference of NY, Northern Federation of Law Enforcement Officers, Watertown Police Benevolent Association, West Side Terrace Tenants Association, President; Past Member Charlotte Lodge #1088, F & A.M. His hobbies include Genealogy, traveling, camping, hunting, fishing, and spending time at the ocean. 

Memorial donations in his memory can be made to a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements are entrusted to the Lundy Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. located at 500 State Street in Carthage, NY 13619. Online condolences in his memory can be made to: www.lundyfuneralhome.com