Leon F. Wood, Jr.

Leon “Buddy” F. Wood, Jr., formerly of Milltown, passed away Saturday, July 22, 2023 at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick. He lived in Milltown for 41 years, before moving to Lawrenceville in 2018. He was 78 years old but didn’t act like it. 

This absolute legend was born and raised in Millville, NJ where he attended St. Mary’s and Millville High School. For several years in a row, he proudly received a checkmark next to “annoys others” on his report card.

Buddy decided to attend school “down south”, arriving in 1963 with a deep tan and cut-off denim shorts.  Needless to say, he stuck out like a sore thumb.  He received his bachelor’s degree in political science from Mississippi College (1967), attended law school for one year at Ole’ Miss (“too much reading”), and completed his MBA at Mississippi College (1971). 

Buddy had a long and successful career as a salesman in the cosmetic industry, most notably selling glass packaging.  During his over 50 years in the industry, he traveled the world, developed life-long friendships and made a strong impact on all who he met.   Everyone who knew him has a story about him.

Buddy had a deep love of and appreciation for music and movies.  He was known to sing song lyrics and say movie lines seconds before the artist, just so you’d know that he knew them.  He loved spending time with his family and friends, cooking (and, to the dismay of his sons-in-law, hand-feeding his loved ones), telling jokes, debating politics, challenging hypocrisies, watching the Yankees, and answering correctly at least 85% of Jeopardy questions. He was proud of his still-full head of hair and baby blue eyes.  He was an excellent dancer, sharp dresser, and always the life of the party.  You’d never catch him without at least five rings on.

He was predeceased by his wife Judith Wood (d. 2012) and his parents Leon F. Wood, Sr. and Theresa (Manno) Wood.  He did not have any siblings because his mother said that one of him was enough.

Surviving are his wife Shu-Ling “Kate” Yin; his son Leon Wood III (Melody) of Bentonville, AR; his daughters Bethany Young (Christopher) of Robbinsville and Mallory Wood (Christopher Wing) of Lawrenceville; and his beloved grandchildren Jonathan (Katie), Katherine and Anderson Wood, and Charlotte and Abigail Young.  Also surviving are his adored pup, Woody (yes, he named his dog Woody Wood), and his granddogs Joe, Lucy, Mae, and Rosie.

A gathering will be held on Thursday, August 3rd, from 4:00 – 7:00pm, at The Crabiel Home for Funerals, 170 North Main St.-at Riva Avenue, Milltown, NJ 08850.

In lieu of flowers and over the strong objections of Leon F. Wood, III (his first born), please consider a donation to the Democratic National Committee, https://democrats.org/ .

You may sign the online condolence “guestbook” at www.crabiel.com

“Heroes get remembered, but legends never die.”