Obituary of Clifton Wood

WOOD, M. Clifton Durham Merrill Clifton Wood – 87, of Durham, Pictou County, passed away peacefully with Norma and Sharon by his side on September 26th, 2024. Cliff was born in Moncton, NB in 1937 to the late Alan and Marjorie (MacLean) Wood. He moved to Durham in 1948 and 10 years later married the love of his live Norma Grice in 1958. Cliff & Norma, after living in New Glasgow and Pictou, moved back to Durham where he and Norma lived happily for 66 years. He moved to the Northumberland Veterans Facility in July of 2023 where he lived until his death. Cliff was well known throughout Nova Scotia as one of the best “Road Warriors” for automotive parts until his retirement in 2000. He was always involved in his community and Church where he served as on many committees and served as the Clerk of Session of the Durham Presbyterian Church for over 20 years. Cliff’s real passion was his interest in sports. He spent many years cheering on Bert and Sharon in any sport they participated in, and was active in coaching Minor Hockey, Softball and Ringette. Cliff or “Mr. Wood” as his ringette players referred to him as was very well known and respected in the local and provincial Ringette associations. He was recognized and honored with several awards over the years during and after his time spent coaching. Cliff was preceded to heaven by his sister, Carol (Wood) Fraser and brother-in-law, Ian Fraser. But the biggest welcome to heaven would have been from his son, Bert, who he has missed terribly since Bert’s passing in 2011. They are no doubt now picking up exactly where they left off doing projects, watching the Maple Leafs and Blue Jays, and simply enjoying being together again. Cliff is survived by the love of his life, Norma; his daughter, Sharon (Tony) Charest; daughter-in-law, Lynn (Darrell) MacDonald; brother, Wayne (Thelma) Wood; grandchildren, Catlin (Kaitlyn) Charest, Christina (Dakota) Charest, great-grandsons, Jackson and Mickey; nephews, Ron (Megan) Fraser, Mark (Fiona) Fraser, Paul (Sara) Wood and David (Michelle) Wood. Dad, your love, patience, understanding, wisdom and sense of humor will live inside of us forever. You have given us all gifts more precious than anything in this world. Goodbye Dad, our family will forever miss you but you will always live on in our hearts. Visitation will be held 4-7 PM Wednesday in McLaren Funeral Home, Pictou. Funeral will take place 2:00 PM Friday from Durham Presbyterian Church. No flowers by request. Donations in his memory may be made to the Durham Presbyterian Church or a charity of your choice. The family would like to thank the staff at the Northumberland veterans unit for the love, compassion and care given to Cliff from his first day as a resident. They are very special people who have treated Cliff and his family like their family. Special thanks to Lesley Heighton. Lesley you always held a special place in dad’s heart from our first ringette trip and it only strengthened in the last year and a half. Thank you for everything you have done. To Lorraine and Jamie Tobin and Milton, Sheila and Janice Macleod, who without a doubt are the best neighbours. words cannot describe how much your care and help with dad has meant over the years. Thank you, thank you, thank you.