Lacey Planning Board Member Dies at 83

Charles Wood, Sr., 83, of Forked River passed away April 6 at Toms River Community Medical Center.

Wood, a member of the Lacey Township Planning Board, was born in Trenton and lived in Hillsborough before retiring to Forked River, where he lived for 14 years, according to his obituary.

“He loved the shore,” the obituary said, adding that it was Wood and his wife Esther’s dream to live by the ocean.

Wood graduated from West Point, and served in Korea, Japan and various United States’ assignments. He was a member of the United States Military Academy Department of Mechanics and taught at the Academy before retiring.

Wood also earned post-graduate degrees in environmental, civil and nuclear engineering from Iowa State University, Stevens Institute of Technology and the University of Pittsburgh. He served more than 25 years with Louis Berger and Son in East Orange.

He was known for his civil volunteer work in the communities in which he lived, most recently serving on the Lacey Township Planning Board and as a Sunrise Beach Trustee. 

Wood was predeceased by his grandson David E. Wood. Surviving him are his wife of 58 years, Esther Wood, a son and daughter-in-law C. Donald Wood, Jr. and Geri of Hillsborough; a daughter and son-in-law Valerie and Bill Perhacs of Robbinsville; a granddaughter Julia Perhacs also of Robbinsville; and many nieces and nephews. From the little day-to-day things to the bigger life events, Don will be greatly missed.