Ernest O. Wood

Ernest O. Wood, 85, a resident of Wesbury United Methodist Community, Meadville, died there Monday December 24, 2007.  The cause of death was old age, an affliction of the elderly.

He was born in Foxboro, MA, January 31, 1922, a son of the late Rev. Alfred and Sophia Hope Hart Wood.  He married Martha Lou Foreman of Rosebud, Ark., in 1944, and she survives.

He graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 1943.  When he left military service in 1946, after a remarkably undistinguished three years of serving his country, he was on the staff of the Commanding General of the Central Pacific Command.  He never heard a shot fired in anger; nor did he wish to.

By profession he was a certified public accountant, retiring in 1982 as a partner from the Pittsburgh office of Ernst & Young.  He served his profession as a member of Council of the American Institute of CPAs; as President of the PA Institute of CPA’s; and as Vice Chairman of the PA Board of Accountancy. He was much in demand as a speaker at tax institutes and forums throughout the country.  He wrote articles and books on tax and executive compensation subjects and served on the editorial board of the Bureau of National Affairs in Washington.

He was active in civic and charitable organizations.  He was elected a commissioner of his hometown near Pittsburgh.  He served the United Methodist Church in many positions, including board member of its Pension Board, its Foundation, and its property holding corporation.

For ten years after his retirement, he lived in Highlands, NC, believed by some to be the highest town east of the Rockies.  While there, he was president of Highlands Rotary Club, a board member of the Highlands Hospital, treasurer of Highlands Hospital Foundation, and president of the Hudson Library and Art Gallery.  In 1992, he was chosen by the Chamber of Commerce as its man-of-the-year.

After his move to Meadville in 2000, he served as a board member of Wesbury and of the Meadville Rotary Club. He was a member of Stone United Methodist Church.

Surviving is his wife of 63 years, Martha Lou; a daughter, Rev. Victoria Wood-Parrish and her children, Heather, Kathleen and James Parrish of Gilford, NH; a son, Charles Wood and his wife Melissa and their son, Henry of Teaneck, NJ; and a son John Wood and his wife Denise and their daughters, Kristin and Katherine Wood of Dalton, MA.  His six grandchildren had six dogs between them which he considered his grand dogs.

Cremation will take place with a memorial service Friday, December 28th at 2:00 p.m. at Stone United Methodist Church, 956 S. Main St., Meadville, with the Rev. Norman Dunkle and the Rev. Jack Spencer retired clergymen, and the Rev. John Spahr, Pastor of Stone United Methodist Church officiating.  A reception will follow the service in the church’s Miller Parlor.

After a light sprinkling in the Wood family plot in Washington, RI, and in the Foreman family plot in Bethesda, Ark., his ashes will be placed in the columbarium at Christ United Methodist Church, Bethel Park.

Memorials may be made to the Wesbury United Methodist Community Tree Fund. 31 N. Park Ave., Meadville, PA 16335.  He preferred maple trees.

Ernie’s dead.  Nuff said.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, Inc. 581 Chestnut St. Meadville.