John R. Wood, 45, passed away Wednesday August 2, 2023 at UH Parma Hospital in Parma, OH after complications of Chronic Interstitial Lung Disease.

Born January 26, 1978 in Malden, MA he is the son of Robert A. Wood, Sr. and the late Nancy J. (Eason) Wood.

John grew up in Plaistow, NH, and graduated from Timberlane Regional High School in 1997. In 2002, he began dating Ashley, with whom he went on to spend 21 amazing years. He was passionate about the Fire Service; initially participating in Plaistow Fire Explorers until he was appointed to the Plaistow Fire Department in 1998. He proudly served the town of Plaistow as a Fire Fighter and EMT over the course of 22 years. John also volunteered with the Newton Fire Department for more than a decade. John gave countless hours to helping his neighbors through this type of service, and his love of helping his community was further underscored by his career focus for the last 13 years – shining as a calm voice and guide through all manner of emergencies while dispatching briefly for West Newbury Emergency services and then, for 12 years, with North Andover Police Department. He was the Lead Communications Officer for North Andover, where he was respected and loved by his colleagues. John's volunteer and career work in the Emergency Services field is but one example of his helpful spirit. To know John was to have someone in your corner, someone that would help you in your time of need. John struggled with some overwhelming health challenges, handling them with strength, dignity, and humor. He never let it slow him down, remaining active with his volunteerism, helping those around him, and finding joy in every moment with his family and his many close friends. Some of his favorite times were had while riding his motorcycle, attending concerts, and just hanging out in the backyard. John's earnest smile, cheerful laugh, and sarcasm will be remembered so fondly.

Members of his family include his wife Ashley J. Winter of Plaistow, NH, his father Robert A. Wood, Sr. of Plaistow, NH, his siblings Sarah Leavitt and husband Chris of Wilton, NH, Robert Wood, Jr. of Plaistow, NH, and Alisa Place of Douglas, MA, his father and mother-in-law Ernie and Debby Winter, Jr. of Plaistow, NH, three brothers-in-law Ernie Winter, III, of Pensacola, FL, Thomas Winter and his wife Lauren of Fremont, NH, and Stephen Winter and his wife Katie of Sandown, NH, and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends may visit Thursday, August 10, 2023 from 4pm to 8pm at the Brookside Chapel and Funeral Home, 116 Main St. Plaistow, NH. A funeral service will be held Friday, August 11, at 10am in the First Baptist Church of Plaistow, 122 Main St. Plaistow, NH. Interment will be held privately. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to Donate Life America donatelife.net or to the Plaistow Fireman's Association 27 Elm St, Plaistow, NH 03865.