February 12, 2022
Alan L. “Big Al” Wood, 74; of Oswego died unexpectedly February 12th, 2022 at his home. He was born in Syracuse, NY to the late Robert and Audrey (Lamson) Wood of Cardiff, NY. After graduating from Lafayette High School, Alan joined the United States Army. He served in Vietnam and upon returning to home he continued his service teaching as an active reservist, retiring with the rank of Major. Alan continued his education at Morrisville College. He finished his education at Husson University where he earned his Toque Blanche (Chef Hat.) Alan came to Oswego, NY in 1977 to become the Food Service Director at Oswego Hospital. He was the owner and operator of The Crown and Feather Tavern, Oswego. After that, Alan worked at J. Fitz Patrick Nuclear Plant and Entergy Northeast, Scriba, NY until his retirement in 2011. Alan was an active member of several fraternal organizations including the Elks, Moose, American Legion and the Oswego VFW. He was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star having served as Patron seven times. Alan’s love for the Masonic organization and all of it’s concordant bodies, led him to his great passion of being a Shriner. He was elevated to Potentate in 2005 and 2006. Alan recently received his Emeritus status on the Board of Governors from the Shriner’s Hospitals for Children, Montreal, Canada. He enjoyed golfing, hunting, fishing, camping and brought joy to many families in Oswego County as Santa Claus.
Alan was pre-deceased by his sister Linda Fisher in 2021.
Alan is survived by the love of his life and wife of 53 years: Earline J. (DeVine) Wood of Oswego, their two children: Lillian Wood of NC, and Jennifer (Dean) Cooper of Oswego, 6 grandchildren: Jessica Ermini, Jordan Cronk, Chandler Compson, Brian A, Jared and Megan Durval and 7 great grandchildren: Trinity, Lilyann, Colt Jr., Kathleen, Olivia, Emberlyn, and Kyrie. He is also survived by his brothers: Robert (Marilynn) Wood, Gary (Virginia) Wood, Daniel (Jessica) Wood, Russell (Paula) Wood; his mother-in-law: Lillian DeVine and his son-in-law: George Schute and several nieces and nephews.
His family feels that: he has served well his time in our world and has laid down his working tools. He has now taken his place with the Grand Architect of the Universe.
Calling Hours will be held 4:00 to 6:00 PM Friday at Sugar & Scanlon Funeral Home, 147 W. 4th St. Oswego with a service at 6:00 PM from the Masonic and Eastern Star Organizations.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Alan’s memory to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children 1003 Decarie Blvd, Montreal, Quebec H4A O49, Canada.
Due to the family’s health and age the family has requested that masks to be worn to enter.
A great man has been lost. Alan was a loyal friend to myself and many others. He will be missed deeply.
Al was a tremendous guy, great spirit and happy smile! He brought joy to so many who traveled along life’s path with him!
May he rest in God’s eternal Peace.
My Prayers are with your family at this difficult time.
Frances M.
Nurse Ex of Shriners Children’s Hospital, Springfield MA.
Alan was always willing to help a brother in distress
Allen you will be missed. It was a pleasure to know you.
I am so sorry to hear that Al has passed. Hugs and prayers for all. We are in Florida and will miss the services. Enjoyed all his posts about his travels. He was a great guy.
Rest In Peace my brother, well done good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of thy lord
A great man and a number 1 Shriner. He was a man who served our Shriners Hospitals well, especially in Canada as a Board member for 9 years. We will miss him, but he is now our Grand Lodge above. Thoughts and prayers to Earline and Alan’s family. May he Rest in Peace. Goodbye my friend.
This is so heartbreaking.
I had the pleasure of knowing him for well over twenty years as a Shriner, especially on his many trips to Ottawa and SHC-Canada.
He will be missed by so many. He was truly a man’s man, a Mason’s Mason and a Shriner’s Shriner.
Rest well my Brother. You have earned it, although far too soon.
Dennis Saikaley
Past Potentate
Tunis Shriners
It is with heavy heart I read of Alan’s passing.
I hadn’t known him long but it didn’t take long to realize what a kind , loving and giving soul he was.
Fly high Alan and know how much you have impacted the lives is so many . RIP
Al will be missed by all,Loved this MAN!!!
Rest in Peace, fellow soldier for you have served so very well and so very long.
My sincere condolences to family and friends.
Earline so sorry to hear about Alan Loads of prayers and hugs going out to you and the family.
Rest in Peace Alan, You are the true definition of HERO . You are my role model. All who met you, worked with you, Respected You. I am honoured to have had your friendship. God Bless you, and everyone you have left behind. You made the world a better place. Earline, our prayers are with you.
Love Mike & Donna
Rest in piece my brother. You warmed the hearts of everyone that knew you.
Rip my brother. You were a good friend to many and all you met. my condolences toEarline and his whole family. I Amin the south and can’t make it to the service but my thoughts and prayers are with you all.. Ed
We are all saddened by the the passing of a man whose heart was bigger than he was. His energy was endless, his happiness was contagious and his compassion for children was beyond measure. Shriners International and Shriners Hospitals for Children are poorer for his passing. He will be greatly missed by all.
Always had a smile and a joke to tell everytime I saw him. He will be missed. Rest in peace friend.
A terrible loss to us all. A truly gentle man with a heart of gold.
I was a friend& coworker to Alan for many years, we enjoyed many laughs @ Oswego Hospital and @ his bar. He was a gret person. RIP
My heart goes out to Als family, He was a man amount men and Ill always cry inside thinking about Al, As a Masonic Brother but even more You Were My Friend.
A wonderful man loved by many at SHC-Canada. Heartfelt sympathy to the family.
Rest In Peace Brother Alan.
Au revoir.
Rest in Peace my Brother. Always got a laugh when you were selling raffle tickets. “$5, $5, $5”
Great person, sorry to know that he will no longer be with us only in spirit. He did so much for our families, driving them to Shriners here in Springfield, MA. He loved what he did and the families knew that. You will be missed tremendously. Prayers for you and your loved ones. RIP ALAN WOOD..
My sincere sympathy to the family. We will certainly miss Alan and his contribution to our great Fraternally.
you were a great friend and neighbor…we will miss your smiles and laughter…also your U-turns in the center of east 12th and Mitchell…hehehe..God rest your soul and know you will truly missed by many…♥
My deepest condolences to the family.I knew Mr Wood from the Shriners Canada when he would drive families to Montreal.I so enjoyed my chats with him and will always remember his big smile!
Thinking of Mr. Wood’s family at this sad time. Mr. Wood was my 1st boss at my 1st job when I moved to Oswego in 1980. I will always be thankful for the opportunities he gave me.
Sincerely,
Cathy Nelson
A big man with a big heart. Deepest sympathy to Earline and family.
Worked with ‘Big Al’, will be missed, thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
rest easy, Al…