Wally Wood Passes

Longtime standardbred owner Wally Wood, owner of Woodmere Farm in Marshfield, PEI, passed away on Saturday, July 28 at the age of 77.

Recognized as a leader in the Prince Edward Island Agricultural Community, in 1968, Wally chaired the Founding Committee, and became the first chair of the PEI Soil and Crop Improvement Association. In 1972-73 he assumed the Presidency of the PEI Federation of Agriculture and during this term became a leading advocate for the building of the Farm Centre, overseeing this project to completion.

He was chair of the co-ordinating committee that founded the PEI Dairy Producers Association, a forerunner to Milk Marketing Board. He was a leading advocate and charter member of the School Milk Program and served as chair of the PEI Provincial Exhibition and the PEI Marketing Council.

An active community member, Wally was a local school trustee, elected to the first Regional School Board, a charter member of the Marshfield Pioneer Cemetery Committee who authored, produced and published the first comprehensive history of the community, Marshfield and Area - A Grand Legacy. He is a long time member of the United Church of Canada where he is a choir member and formerly served as Elder and Steward.

Wally and his wife, Doris, were married in 1956 and raised six children. They also operated Woodmere Bed and Breakfast and entertained guests from all parts of the world.

Wally's keen interest in animal genetics led to a new challenge in the 1970's, that of breeding Standardbred Horses. In 1973 Wally and his wife Doris purchased Woodmere Farm and set up shop as a standardbred nursery. After adding some broodmares, Wood purchased his first stallion - Trooper Chip in 1980. Harrods followed in 1988 but the farm hit it big five years later with the addition of Drop Off, who was the popular stallion in the Maritimes for years.

Wood also devoted his time to Standardbred Breeding and the Racing Industry in the Maritimes. He was a charter Member of the Maritime Provinces Harness Racing Commission, the first President of the PEI Harness Racing Industry Association and a Breeder Director of Standardbred Canada. Wood was inducted into Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame in 2005.

Beloved husband of Doris (nee MacEwen). Dear father of Marilyn MacDonald (Leo), Gordon, Nancy Cook (David, deceased), Carol Fecteau (Laurier), Janice, and Bruce (Katherine). Loving grandfather to Leanne MacNeil (Jason), Craig (Ioana) and Rory MacDonald, April and Amy Cook, Charlotte (deceased) and Sylvie Fecteau, and Harrison, Callum and Truman Wood. Special Poppy to his four great-grandchildren, Carter and Malcolm MacNeil, Noa and Alex MacDonald. Brother of Don (Trudy), Jane Phillips, Blair, Elsie MacLeod, David (Barb) and Isobel Hughes (Lloyd). Brother-in-law of Edna Mutch (Allison), William MacEwen (Karen) and Dwight MacEwen. Wally is remembered by his numerous nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents Almon and Ida (Sutherland) Wood, by his sister Elizabeth "Bea" MacLeod (Chester), by his brother-in-law Fred Phillips and by sisters-in-law Mary Wood and Andrea Wood.

Resting at Belvedere Funeral Home for visitation Wednesday, August 1 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Funeral Thursday, August 2, Park Royal United Church at 10:30 a.m. Interment in Central United Church Cemetery, Dunstaffnage. Memorial donations may be made to Central United Church Cemetery Fund.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Wally Wood.