Robert Wood, age 88, of Shelton and formerly of Trumbull, passed away June 11, 2017 at Bridgeport Hospital. Born in Kingston, NY, Bob was a 1946 graduate of Central High School and a retired meat cutter for First National Stores.

For most of his life, Bob was a tireless advocate for people with disabilities in Connecticut. He served as president of VARCA, a private non-profit agency that provides work opportunities to individuals with special needs, based in Derby, CT. He also served as president of FORConn, was a member of the Council of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities, the Council on Mental Retardation, and VOR, a national organization that advocates for high quality care and human rights for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Bob often journeyed to the state capitol in Hartford to educate legislators on the needs and rights of persons with disabilities and to lobby on their behalf. He was instrumental in getting the state of Connecticut to pass legislation creating an Abuse and Neglect Registry to help protect disabled residents of group homes and state institutions.

In his spare time, Bob was a skilled craftsman, who loved to restore and repair antiques. He was also the family historian, and devoted countless hours researching the Wood family tree and its history in Kingston, NY.

Bob was predeceased by his wife Maryanne Smith Wood, his brothers James and Allan Wood and his sister Carol Rodelsturtz. He will be missed by his son Brian Robert Wood and his wife Susan Willett of NJ, his daughter Mary Catherine Wood of Shelton, his sister Helen Barnes and her husband Rev. Alden Barnes of Cromwell, his grandchildren Peter Wood and fiancée Denise Frisko; Corinne Willett and her husband Luke Mosher; and Aaron Willett, as well as many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Bob's life will be held on Friday, June 16, 1:00 PM at the First United Methodist Church, 188 Rocky Rest Rd. Shelton. A repast will follow the service, and all are welcome to join. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to VARCA, 5 Coon Hollow Rd. Derby, CT 06418. 

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