John P. Wood, 86, of Lancaster, passed away peacefully Saturday, January 5, 2013 at the Lebanon VA Hospital.

Born in Passaic, NJ, he was the son of the late Cyril and Agnes (Johnston) Wood.

John was a decorated Army Airborne veteran of WWII, having received the Purple Heart.

He was employed by Dupont for 25 years as an office manager, retiring in 1984.

He was deeply appreciated for his involvement in the Lancaster Roman Catholic community, the Legion of Mary, and the countless hours he devoted to the respect for all human life from conception to natural death.

John was a member of the 17 ^th Airborne Association and the Central PA Chapter of the 82 ^nd Airborne Association.

He was the loving father to Maryanne Wood of Lancaster and to sons John Joseph in New Jersey, Robert Anthony in Puerto Rico, and Thomas Edward and daughter-in-law Sherry in Georgia; he was deeply loved by his grandchildren Hannah and Jonathan, also of Georgia, and his brother Edward Wood of Washington.  His death is a heartfelt loss to the Chester Smith and Luanne Ferguson families.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 AM Wednesday, January 9, 2013 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 440 St. Joseph St., Lancaster, PA  17603.  The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service.  Burial with full military honors will be at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery on Wednesday at 2:00.  Please omit flowers.  Memorial contributions in John's memory may be made to Legion of Mary at St. Joseph's Parish at the above address. To place a condolence online, please visit SnyderFuneralHome.com. Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory 717-393-9661