Obituary of Herbert C Wood

Herbert C. Wood, Sr., most lovingly known as “Bud,” passed away peacefully at home on April 26, 2013, surrounded by his loving family. Bud was born in Thomaston on October 29, 1920, the son of George Washington and Kathryn (Kirkpatrick) Wood. He grew up on Limerock Street in Rockland and was a lifelong resident of Knox County. He attended school in Rockland and began working at the age of 14 years old in the family store. He also worked in the Wood family taxi business for many years alongside his beloved mother Kathryn. He served in the Army in 1943 and was based at Camp Maxey in Texas. He returned to Rockland and began driving buses. He was married to Lee Dudley on November 16, 1952, until Lee’s passing from lupus on February 8, 1967. Bud is most well known for his years as a school bus driver for SAD #5, eventually assuming the role of transportation director for the district. He is remembered by all for his loving nature, kindness and humor. Bud retired in 1996 after 50 years of devoted public service, having seen generations of children safely from home to school and back again. He received national exposure when he was featured in Life Magazine as the “Best-Loved Man in Town” in 1962. Bud’s experiences as a bus driver and the dedication he showed to the children of his Owl’s Head and South Thomaston bus routes also helped shape the character of Riley the bus driver in the children’s book Here Comes the Bus in 1963. Upon his retirement, he was honored by President Clinton, Governor King, and U.S. Senators Cohen and Snowe for his half century of devoted service. He also had the honor of being grand marshal of the Lobster Festival Parade after retiring and winning his battle against throat cancer. Also, for many years, while driving school bus, he delivered local newspapers to area business in the wee hours of the morning. Bud is survived by his sister, Virginia “Gini” Wood Kunesh of Camden and brother, William “Bill” Wood of Rockland; son Richard and wife Kathy of Virginia; son Randy of Warren; daughter, Wendy “Tess” Holt and husband Andy of Tennessee; son Jon and wife Alison of Rockport; son Barry and wife Tracey of South Carolina; and son Herbert C. Wood, Jr., of Rockport; eight grandchildren, Lisa, Kami, Kristin, Alex, Kaylee, Emillie, Lilian, and Darcie; and seven great grandchildren, Ryan, Liam, Paige, Addison, Ashley, Craig, and Mandi. Bud is predeceased by his parents; his brother, George “Jack” Wood, Jr.; and sister, Barbara Howell; as well as his beloved wife, Lee. He is also predeceased by his first wife, Maxine. He is survived by his former wife, Paula Bixby. A memorial service will be held at the Oceanside High School auditorium on May 11, 2013, at 11 AM. A private family grave-side service at the Village Cemetery in South Thomaston will follow the memorial service. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Lee Dudley Wood may be made directly to the Lupus Research Institute at www.lupusresearchinstitute.org/donate. Condolences may be made to the Wood family at www.directcremationofmaine.com as well as sent to 89 Old Rockland Street, Rockport, ME 04856. A memorial service will be held at the Oceanside High School auditorium on May 11, 2013, at 11 AM. A private family grave-side service at the Village Cemetery in South Thomaston will follow the memorial service.