Storyteller, educator David Wood dies at 84
by Mary Lancaster, Nantucket Independent

He loved to collect things, especially antiques. He loved to tell stories - true stories of people and the island's past. He loved his church and was known for his enthusiastic singing of hymns. He was unmistakably a staunch Yankee who in his life did not easily admit defeat.

David H. Wood, who would have turned 85 on March 4, died peacefully on Feb. 22 at Nantucket Cottage Hospital after a brief illness.

"His mind was still witty and sharp and he had a little smile on his face right to the very end," said his niece Signa Watts, who said she and niece Kristin Dunklee encouraged their uncle to move near to them in New Hampshire as his health began to fail, but did not succeed.

"His family's history, his church, the Nantucket Historical Association and Whaling Museum were all here, so this is where he wanted to stay," Dunklee said. "This island meant so much to David. We couldn't get him to leave."

Mr. Wood was born on Nantucket in 1923 to Allan D. Wood and Virginia Hamblin (Tobey) Wood. He was the same age as islander Eileen McGrath who went to school with him, but she said he was ahead of her because he received a double grade promotion. Another schoolmate, Francis McGarvey, recalled Mr. Wood's academic ability and said, "He didn't cause any trouble."

After graduation from Nantucket High School in 1939 he majored in English at Middlebury College in Vermont.

Following college he taught at the Deveaux School in Niagra Falls, N.Y. and the Lenox School in Lenox, Mass. before becoming director of the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Mass.

Mr. Wood, a bachelor, remained with the museum until he retired and moved back to the family homestead on Gardner Street to help care for his mother. But not one to keep to himself, he had a remarkable sense of humor and enjoyed enter- taining friends and associates with tales of island residents and their histories. He possessed a talent for spotting valuable items, even if they were surrounded by junk, and had an extensive collection of artifacts and Nantucket lightship baskets. He was a fierce competitor in card games and could hold his own in the most heated political debates.

Once back on the island, he became involved with the community and dedicated himself to sharing his knowledge and antique treasures with organizations he respected and supported.

Bill Tramposh, executive director of the Nantucket Historical Association, said Mr. Wood stayed an active NHA board member as long as his health permitted, attending the association's Brown Bag lunch series featuring local speakers until recently. Mr. Wood also donated many valuable items to the NHA's artifact inventory.

"He left books, early 18th century documents, paintings, Nantucket memorabilia and early lightship baskets," Tramposh said. "He left us a potpourri, and we are extremely thankful for that. It will be known as The David Wood Collection. We hope to have an exhibition fairly soon as a sample of some of the things David gave us. And fortunately, we filmed some of his stories."

Mr. Wood was also a member of the board of trustees of The Coffin School and served as vice-president until his health became a factor.

"David has been a valuable asset to our group with his knowledge of art and historical artifacts," said Board of Trustees President Jean Hughes. "His expertise will be sorely missed by all the trustees."

Another trustee said of Mr. Wood: "David was a Renaissance man for sure. While serving as a Coffin School trustee his advice on our paintings and architectural details was invaluable. He knew the history of The Coffin School, complete with priceless anecdotes of people involved over the last century. David had a keen awareness of how things should go."

Mr. Wood was devoted to St. Paul's Church for many years and succeeded Reggie Levine as the church's senior warden shortly after he returned to the island.

"David and I would meet at least twice a month and have dinner," Levine said. "The conversations were really encyclopedic. We talked of literature and the arts and politics. He was so informed in so many areas and a delight to talk with.

"He was a person who had an extraordinary sense of justice for the way people were treated and respected. He had a very strong feeling about the integrity of every human being. He was a religious man and a political man but the two were in harmony, and he loved to laugh. His laugh was infectious."

Long-time friend Robert Bennett has fond memories of their relationship and said he will miss what they shared.

"David and I have been best friends since 1930," Bennett said. "We were collecting antiques when we were barely teenagers. We were in and out of each other's lives but we stayed friends. He's been a large part of my life. David and I were glued together from way back."

Eileen McGrath may have found the ideal way to capture Mr. Wood's larger than life personality that will be long remembered by those who knew him.

"He was a delightful raconteur," she said. "He was side-splitting, I'll tell you."

Mr. Wood was predeceased by his sister, Edith W. Howarth of Manchester-by-the-Sea, Mass. and a niece, Licia O'Conor of Atlantic Beach, Fla. He is survived by his brother, James A. Wood of Jacksonville, Fla. and Contoocook, N.H. and his wife Constance O'Conor; his niece Signa A. Watts and her husband Dale of Concord, N.H.; his niece Kristin A. Dunklee and her husband Daniel of Concord, N.H.; and several grand-nieces and nephews.

Services for Mr. Wood will be held this spring on Nantucket. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to St. Paul's Church, 20 Fair St., Nantucket, Mass. 02554.