Kevin Roger Wood

Surrounded by love, Kevin passed away at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) on October 26, 2024.

He is mourned as the beloved husband to Anne (nee Hickey) - his soulmate of 43 years - and loving father to daughters Sarah and Danielle Marie (stillborn March 2, 1988). He was a cherished father-in-law to Tom Baginski and adoring grandfather to Roland, Ruben and Jedrek. He was a dear brother to Larry (Nancy), Richard (Sandra), Glen, Mary Lynn, Jim (Linda), Wayne (Tena), Carol Ann (Bill) and brother-in-law to Patricia Hollingsworth. Kevin was predeceased by his parents, Harold and Mary (Chisholm) Wood and his brother Wayne Wood.

Born on January 27, 1955 in Cornwall ON, Kevin grew up on a farm near St Andrew's, Ontario. As a "fiery" redhead, he fully embraced the excitement of his large family and life on the farm. His formative years at Bonville Public School saw him develop his athleticism and humour. While attending General Vanier Secondary School, he excelled in academics, football, hockey and lacrosse. 

Kevin chose to study biology at Queen's University. It was in his first year that he met Anne from Brantford, who was visiting a friend on campus. Both maintain it was love at first sight, and the rest is history. Anne went on to study Horticulture at the University of Guelph and they relied on frequent train rides to keep their long-distance relationship thriving. After graduation, they moved to Calgary and then to Vancouver Island, BC. There, they enjoyed many outdoor adventures (canoeing, scuba diving, hiking) and Kevin pursued his love for lacrosse on a competitive team. Kevin worked for a commercial fish farm raising salmon in sea pens and Anne did research for the B.C. Ministry of Forests, Tree Improvement Program.

Kevin and Anne were married in 1981 on a brisk, October day and a few years later settled in Newcastle, ON to be closer to family. Their first daughter Sarah was born August 1, 1986. It was the very day of her birth that Kevin (successfully) interviewed to be the Manager of the new Ministry of Natural Resources Fish Culture Station in Harwood. Two years later, they endured the loss of their second daughter, Danielle, who was stillborn. This was followed by Anne's cancer diagnosis, treatments and subsequent vision loss. Kevin supported her every step of the way and Anne has been cancer free ever since. 

Kevin, Anne and Sarah moved to Peterborough in 1991, while Kevin continued to manage the Harwood Fish Culture Station for the rest of his career. Over the years, they developed a community of friends and enjoyed canoeing, tandem cycling, hiking, and time with their horses. They eventually bought a log cabin in the Apsley woods where Kevin thrived tending the land, chopping wood for the stove, kayaking, hiking and sharing stories with family and friends over epic bonfires.

It was during an “old timers” hockey game in 2008 that Kevin experienced his first heart event (ventricular tachycardia). Several surgeries later, Kevin was put on the heart transplant list at the Toronto General Hospital (TGH). As good fate would have it, Kevin received a call on his 55th birthday (2010) that a heart had become available. From then on, their little family didn't take a single moment with Kevin for granted, and gave thanks to his generous donor every day. Kevin was blessed to witness Sarah and Tom’s marriage, and be the best "Papa" to their three beautiful boys Roland, Ruben and Jedrek. They spent many happy years together. 

In 2023, Kevin was diagnosed with metastatic skin cancer. With steadfast support from family and friends both near and distant, he underwent surgery and radiation therapy at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.

Kevin will forever be remembered for his sense of humour, storytelling, humility, and dedication to family. His stories will live on in all who loved him.

Our family offers our deepest gratitude to the Heart Transplant Team at TGH for providing Kevin with his heart and the subsequent fifteen years of excellent care and support. We also thank the Palliative Care team at PRHC for the kind and tender care they provided to our family. The Princess Margaret Cancer Centre provided excellent care during Kevin’s treatments.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Ajmera Heart Transplant Program at UHN Foundation would be greatly appreciated by the family.

To make a memorial donation via cheque, please make payable to: UHN Foundation. In the memo line, please write “In memory of Kevin Wood, in support of the Ajmera Heart Transplant Program”.

A celebration of Kevin’s life will be held at the HIGHLAND PARK FUNERAL CENTRE, 2510 Bensfort Road, Peterborough, Ontario on Saturday November 30 at 2 PM.  Reception to follow.