Obituary of Dwight "Woody" Woodworth Jr.
Dover-Foxcroft – Dwight “Woody” Woodworth, Jr., 69, passed away peacefully October 20, 2018, at Mayo Regional Hospital, with family by his side. He was born May 14, 1949, in Natick, Massachusetts, the son of Dwight 'Duke' and Metella (Washburn) Woodworth.
Woody was born with cerebral palsy, quadriplegic. He grew up in Hopkinton, Massachusetts and attended Mill Swan and Massachusetts Hospital School. His cerebral palsy affected his motor skills so his life was full of challenges, a person without the use of arms and legs. He never let his disabilities deter him from contributing and giving back to others. His brilliant intellect allowed him to help people in so many ways.
He attended and graduated from Quinsigamond College and Assumption College with his Masters Degrees in Social & Rehabilitation Counseling. After graduation Woody continued as an instructor at Assumption College.
Woody lived in Worcester, Massachusetts for 30 years. He had a strong faith in God and loved to participate in services and events with his church family in Worcester. He worked as a recreation leader for the Parks & Rec Department for the City of Worcester. He worked on ADA requirements for access/egress/handrail legislation while in Massachusetts. During Woody's retirement celebration the Mayor of Worcester gave him a key to the city.
Woody was a grant writer for United Cerebral Palsy of Central Massachusetts. He was a counselor at many summer camps for children over the years. Woody traveled throughout the United States with the President's Council to advocate for disability rights. Woody was grateful for all the people who traveled with him, to be his arms and legs, on his mission.
Woody co-wrote two books, was working on a screenplay and just finished writing a song. Thanks to Jayne Sharrow and Cousin Julie Knowlton, his song will be included in his November 10th memorial service.
Woody was a member of the Masons in Worcester, belonged to the Congregational Church in Hopkinton, and was a Director for the Kiwanis Club of Dover-Foxcroft and the President of the Aktion Club of Mid Maine. He was also a member of the Guilford Historical Society.
In 2007, Woody moved to Hibbard Nursing Home, in Dover-Foxcroft. In 2014, Woody received the 'Remember Me' award from Ann LePage at the State House, in Augusta, for his professional and community accomplishments.
Woody loved being at the family camp at Sebec Lake. He was an avid chess, checker and backgammon player. He loved visiting and good conversation with family, relatives and friends. Woody had a great sense of humor and was a great practical joker. Unfortunately he was unable to deliver the punch line of a joke without laughing uncontrollably before finishing the joke. He loved his family at Hibbard. 'Counselor-at-heart' Woody was jokingly working on a plan to provide a new section at Hibbard Skilled Nursing Center called 'Camp Hibbard'.
Woody was predeceased by his wife, Marilyn, and his parents, Duke & Tella Woodworth. Woody is survived by three siblings, Brian Woodworth and his wife, Cindy, of Guilford, Judy Sternal and her husband, Stephen, of Dover-Foxcroft, and his twin brother Fred Woodworth and Fred's wife, Sue, of Ventnor, Isle of Wight, England; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts & uncles.
A huge thank you goes out to the Hibbard Skilled Nursing Center staff for their wonderful care of Woody during the last 12 years. Thanks also to the Mayo Regional Hospital doctors and nurses who helped Woody when he was in need of extra special care. For their friendship and loving care of Woody we are eternally grateful to Dr. Dave & Ellen McDermott.
Woody was an inspiration and hero for so many people, a gift for all of us. We will forever miss him!!
A memorial service will be held 11AM Saturday, November 10, 2018, at the Dover-Foxcroft Congregational Church. A reception will follow the memorial service at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Camp Capella, 8 Pearl Point Road, Holden, ME 04429, or Kiwanis Club of Dover-Foxcroft Aktion Club, P.O. Box 615, Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426. Messages of condolence and memories may be expressed at www.laryfuneralhome.com.
