Obituary of David J. Wood

David J. Wood, a longtime Chatham Township resident, died peacefully on Thursday, March 24, 2022 at Morristown Medical Center. He was 68.

Dave is survived by his beloved wife of 45 years, Diane Wood (née Cimaglia); one son, Phillip Wood and his wife Elisabeth; two brothers, Gary Wood and his wife Terri & Keith Wood; his sister-in-law & brother-in-law, Barbara and Ralph Romano; two cherished grandchildren, Makayla & Nathan Wood; several nieces and nephews; and many dear friends.

He was predeceased by one son, Peter M. Wood in 2003; and his parents John W. & Carolyn Wood.

Dave was born in Plainfield, NJ on May 11, 1953. He was raised in Chatham Township with his two brothers and while in Chatham High School he was a successful teammate on the school’s hockey team.

Dave was a volunteer firefighter with the Green Village Fire Department for 15 years and was always there to help others and assist those in need throughout his entire life.

Before retiring a few years ago Dave was an information technology engineer for many years with Wyndham Worldwide of Parsippany, and prior to that with IBM and Merrill Lynch.

Dave married his beloved wife Diane on June 6^th 1976 and the couple settled in Chatham Township where they raised their two sons. He was a dedicated, hard-working family man and wonderful father who was always there to support and gently offer guidance to his sons.

Dave was greatly involved with his sons’ sports while they were growing up. He coached for and was highly involved with Chatham United Soccer for many years, as well as with youth hockey in Chatham.

Dave always made sure his home was meticulously maintained and he took great pride in his landscaping. He had a tremendous wealth of knowledge in gardening, especially in vegetable & flower growing techniques. Dave’s hybrid roses were especially beautiful and colorful. He had a deep appreciation for the beauty of plants and loved being outdoors.

Dave’s family and friends affectionately remember him as a man that loved an orderly home and a clean car. He was well-known for the great pride he took in keeping his cars clean and maintained.

Dave will be deeply missed by his family and forever remembered with love & great pride.

A celebration of David’s life will include a visitation from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Sunday, March 27, 2022, held at the Madison Memorial Home, 159 Main Street, Madison.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to gather at the funeral home at 9:00 AM on Monday March 28, prior to the Liturgy of Christian Burial that will be held at 10:00 AM at St. Vincent Martyr Church, 26 Green Village Road, Madison. Those who wish to attend the Funeral Mass virtually can visit svmnj.org. 

Interment will follow at St. Vincent Martyr Cemetery, Madison.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in Dave’s memory to the Green Village Fire Department, 529 Green Village Road, Green Village, New Jersey 07935