Obituary of John Douglass Wood

Doug (John Douglass) Wood, 75, passed away Sunday, May 12, 2024, surrounded by his family. 

Doug was born November 7, 1948, in Opa-Locka, FL. His parents were Carolyn (Douglass) Wood, Harvey A. Wood and stepfather Vincent Plaisted. 

Doug was a 1967 graduate of Eau Gallie High School then served his country from 1967 through 1973 in the U.S. Air Force, stationed at Homestead AFB, FL and Yokota, AFB, Japan, and was a SSgt E-5.  Doug married his high school sweetheart, Roseanna (DeSanctis) Wood in February 1968. After the Air Force he furthered his education attending Brevard Community College and Barry University earning his bachelor’s degree while working full time. Doug worked at Harris Semiconductor / Intersil until 2007 where he retired after 34 years of employment.

Doug was an active member of the Melbourne and Palm Bay Jaycees, a softball coach and became an on-call chauffeur for his grandkids after he retired. His red Ford F150 was affectionately called “Grandpa’s taxi.” He enjoyed playing Santa Claus throughout the community for several years including the Jaycees, Melbourne’s Christmas parade, Harris Semiconductor / Intersil’s annual Children’s Christmas party and JCPenney. He enjoyed traveling including going on cruises and going to Atlanta Braves baseball games in Atlanta and across the country wherever they played. He loved country music, going to Dottie’s for breakfast, Wagon Wheel or Texas Roadhouse for dinner and a peanut butter shake from Sonic.

Doug never met a stranger. He could start up a conversion in line somewhere like they were old friends, and everywhere we went he would know someone.  He had an amazing sense of humor and could get a room full of people laughing within minutes and yet be serious when needed. Everyone called him for advice or his opinion. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t find a solution to. You may not have wanted to hear what he had to say, but he told you how it was and the truth. He was hardworking, strong, smart, loving and dedicated to his family. His grandchildren especially are expressing a deep sense of loss, not knowing who can fill his shoes as he was the person they went to with any situation, concern or advice they were looking for; he was always there for them.

Doug is survived by his wife and best friend, Roseanna Wood; daughters Kerry Wood, Tricia Pelletier, Rebecca Shelton; grandchildren Kyle Blackwelder (Adriana), Caleb Pelletier (Susan), Chloe Watts (Josh), Cobie Pelletier (Renee), Ethan Wood, Alexander Heck; great-grandchildren Rose, Luke, Rosemary, Lily, Carson; brother Al (Harvey Alfred Wood ) stepbrother Timothy Plaisted and a large extended family. Preceding Doug in his passing was his sister Victoria Ingersoll and granddaughter Caitlin Pelletier.