Plan for the Future
The sun has set on the life of Keith Wood, son of Kenneth Hamilton Wood and Edith Jenckes Wood. He will live forever in the heart of his wife of 62 years, Patti Greathouse Wood, and in those of his children, Kyle Wood, Summerville, SC, and Rebecca Keith, Bristow, VA. His memory will be dear to his beloved grandchildren Kathleen, Kelsey, Melanie and Darien Keith and Kyra Wood, and much loved nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and dear cousins both near and far.
The eldest of five children, he is predeceased by his sister, Janet Wood Gagliano, his brothers, Gary Kay Wood and Douglas Sherburne Wood, and is survived by his youngest sister, Sally Wood Marshi, Los Angeles, CA.
Keith was born and raised on Staten Island, NY, until his family moved to NJ to become the first private owners of the historic Shippen Manor in Oxford.
Upon graduating from Washington High School in 1953, Keith matriculated at the University of Virginia where he was elected Chairman of the Honor Committee. He was deeply involved in all aspects of campus life, particularly the brotherhood of Beta Theta Pi fraternity and the Seven Society.
Following graduation from UVa, Keith served in the U.S. Marine Corps on active duty from 1957 to 1960, retiring from the reserves in 1968 with the rank of Captain.
Keith’s financial industry experience began in 1960 with Scudder, Stevens and Clark. In 1963 he bought a seat on the NY Stock Exchange, eventually becoming a partner of DeCoppet and Doremus. Upon selling his seat, he joined Donaldson, Luftkin and Jenrette’s aquisition Alliance Capital Management. In 1972 he formed Jamison, Eaton and Wood. During those years he formed an important affiliation with Ivory and Sime of Edinburgh, Scotland, which led to a jointly owned venture, Ivory and Sime International Inc. In 2015 JE and W entered into a valued partnership with Silvercrest Asset Management Group with whom he remained a Senior Financial Consultant.
Keith was timeless in his involvement with his alma mater, the University of Virginia, as well as serving on the boards of the Visiting Nurse Association of Northern NJ and The Summit Speech School.
Keith was an active member of many organizations, including the Black River Fishing Club, the Canoe Brook Country Club, the Society of Colonial Wars (Membership Chairman, NJ) and The University Club. He proudly served his community and his faith as an Elder and Treasurer of the First Presbyterian Church of New Vernon, as well as serving as a Trustee of the Newton Presbytery.
He enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid fisherman. He made the most of his retreats in rural PA and Kiawah Island, SC. His dedicated golden retrievers made most of these trips with him. His latest golden, Ben, was a constant companion in his final days.
A Visitation will be held on Friday, February 21, 2020 from 4-7pm at the Wm. A. Bradley & Son Funeral Home, 345 Main Street, Chatham, New Jersey. A Funeral Service will take place on Saturday, February 22, 2020 at 11am at the First Presbyterian Church of New Vernon, 2 Lee’s Hill Road in New Vernon, with interment and reception to follow.