Henry Frost Wood, Jr.

Henry Frost Wood, Jr., known to all as “Hank,” 94, died suddenly on 5 Sept. 2025 in Vero Beach, FL.

He had been a resident of Vero Beach, FL since 2004, after residing for many years in Short Hills, NJ.

Born 21 Nov. 1930 in Boston, MA, Hank was the son of Henry Frost Wood and Mary Dunham Wood. He was predeceased by his parents and his siblings Molly Wood Cooney and John Edward Wood.

His beloved wife of 52 years, Carolyn Bunn Wood predeceased him in 2011. They were a terrific, steady, devoted, and loving couple who often quipped in humor, “Can this marriage be saved?” Theirs was an enduring and expansive love.

Hank is survived by his sons Henry F. Wood III (Marguerite Petersen) of Old Saybrook, CT and Jay F. Wood (Hannah Lauck) of Richmond, VA and two grandchildren (Frost and Addie). Hank cared deeply for and about his sons-and was an enthusiastic uncle to his nieces and nephews, a group collectively known as “the Wood Pile.”

Hank was a conscientious provider for his family. He was eager to supply for his sons the necessary school supplies or appropriate athletic gear. Ever the consummate host, he always attended to guests’ needs, ensuring that “everybody was happy.”

Above all, Hank was a loving and decent man.

Raised in Chestnut Hill, MA, he graduated from a pre-prep year at the Fay School (1945), Phillips Academy Andover (1949), and Harvard College (1953, A.B. in English History).

After serving in the U.S. Army Counter-Intelligence Corps in Korea (3 years), Hank worked in positions that required talents in marketing and managing others: as a Vice President of J. Walter Thompson Co. in New York City and Paris (12 years), Managing Director of Lord & Taylor in Paramus, NJ (11 years), and Marketing Executive at AT&T in New York City and Basking Ridge, NJ (17 years).

Hank was a hard worker and expected the same from others. As a leader, he believed in the team ethos-quick to give credit to the team and those whose efforts contributed to the overall success-and quick to take sole responsibility for a shortfall. A leader-by-example, Hank never asked someone to do something he could not do or had not done. When, in his role as Manager, Lord & Taylor began to keep store hours on Sundays, he felt it only appropriate that he, too, should work on Sundays (to Carolyn’s chagrin!).

Hank was a dedicated and enthusiastic member of many clubs throughout his lifetime, serving as Club President for PAE at Andover, Harvard’s Fox Club & Hasty Pudding Club, and the Short Hills Club; in addition, he was a faithful member of the Harvard Club of NY, the NY Racquet & Tennis Club, Basking Ridge Country Club, and the Grand Harbor Golf & Beach Club.

An enthusiastic and lithe dancer (especially with Carolyn), Hank always responded with joy to the crooning of Frank Sinatra-and he continued to feel, move to, and sing the rhythms of Sinatra’s music-even after his late-in-life Parkinson’s had robbed him of his balance.

Hank was a steadfast and active parishioner of several Episcopal churches as an adult-and a regular usher: St. Thomas (NYC), the American Cathedral (Paris), Christ Church (Short Hills, NJ), and three in Vero Beach, FL-Trinity Church, St Mark’s, and Vero Beach Church of Christ.

Hank was exceedingly polite and cared about what was “right.” When he believed one of his sons had acted badly, or had used inappropriate language, his correction would often come in the form of a stern “I beg your pardon….” When his young and cranky sons asked why-after having already helped shovel the snowy driveway-they should then also go shovel the driveway across the street of an eighty-year-old neighbor, Hank would flatly reply, “Because it’s the right thing to do-and it’s your pleasure.”

Ever-loyal to his alma maters, Hank served as a committed class agent and fundraiser for Fay School, Andover, Harvard-and, after Carolyn had died, served as an Honorary Trustee for her alma mater, Wells College.

Well-trained by his days in the military, Hank was ever punctual and kept things neat and tidy. He believed in frequent and short haircuts for men and was habitual about keeping things polished, clean, and in excellent working order. His late-night polishing sessions kept his cars looking great inside and out-and they always had that “new car smell.”

Hank was persistent-and could be (very) stubborn, a trait inherited by both sons. Carolyn, with practiced acquiescence, simply called this streak the “Wood Will.”

Hank was a natty dresser who wore button-down shirts and khakis for yardwork. In the five years prior to his retirement, his (much younger) supervisor reprimanded him for repeatedly failing to adhere to the new covenant of summer’s “Casual Friday” dress code by continuing to “overdress.” Hank’s sense of precision (and inflexibility) in middle age eventually gave way in his later years to increased informality, more overt smiling-and an increased palate for ice-cream (particularly mint chocolate chip!).

After Carolyn’s passing, Hank found love again with Jane Bonner (Basking Ridge, NJ), a wonderful ten-plus-year romance and partnership.

Hank enjoyed a life of good health and regular physical activity into his late 80s. For the last three years, Hank was a happy resident at Renaissance Senior Living in Vero Beach. The family wishes to express their deep thanks to the Staff, Aids, and Community at the Renaissance for enhancing Hank’s final years. Hank was especially blessed by the phenomenal caregiving from Felecia Smith whose love and care of Hank affected the entire family.

Facing the toll on his physical and cognitive strengths from his progressing Parkinson’s with patient resignation, Hank remarked with characteristic aplomb, “Growing old is not for the faint of heart.”

William Cullen Bryant’s “Thanatopsis,” a verse meditation on death, captured Hank’s attention during his youth. May Hank, like the individual addressed in the poem, “lie… down to pleasant dreams.”

A memorial service will be held in the coming months. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Hank’s honor may be sent to Phillips Academy Andover: Director of Development, 189 Main Street, Andover, MA 01810.

Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach, FL.