John James Woodward Jr. ‘Woody’

John James Woodward Jr. "Woody", 63, of Northville, N.Y., died suddenly Tuesday, October 21, at his First Street home.

Mr. Woodward was born in Gouverneur, N.Y., son of the late John James Woodward Sr. and Florence Margaret Wilson Woodward, who survives. He began his education in a one-room school in DePeyster, N.Y. and later graduated from Heuvelton Central School as Salutatorian of the Class of 1962. While at Heuvelton, he was an All-Star Baseball and Football Player. His higher education was at SUNY Albany during 1962-1966 where he received under-graduate and graduate degrees in the study of mathematics.

"Woody" taught secondary math for 38 years at the Northville Central School where he also coached baseball, JV basketball and for 20 years, varsity basketball, having over 200 wins. He was also affiliated with many other sports groups as a referee and was a devoted fan of local sports teams and the Buffalo Bills. John was a former Rotary member and past president of the Northville Sacandaga Lions Club.

Survivors aside from his mother are sisters, Janis Woodward of Heuvelton and Jane (Sam) Chapman of Pleasant Hill, Mo.; brothers, Thomas (Lisa) of Heuvelton, William of Glens Falls and Robert (Renee) of Hurley, N.Y.; nieces, Tammy Woodward of Heuvelton and Caellum Woodward of Hurley and aunts, uncles, cousins, great-nieces and nephews. Also surviving are two special friends, Heidi Ostrander Puffer of Broadalbin and Richard Morrison of Northville as well as a large community of friends everywhere.

A celebration of Woody's life and good times will be held at the Northville Central School auditorium at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 25, with a reception to follow in the school gym. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the John Woodward Scholarship Fund in care of the NBT bank in Northville. Arrangements are by the Northville Funeral Home. Condolences may be made to the family online at www.northvillefuneralservice.com.