Tom Woods passes away, according to Omega Funeral & Cremation Service
Thomas Michael “Tom” Woods, a devoted family man, and lifelong Boston Red Sox fan who lived courageously with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, passed away, according to an obituary published by Omega Funeral & Cremation Service on October 12, 2026.
From Natick Neighborhoods to Pacific Northwest Forests
Tom Woods grew up in Natick, Massachusetts, as the youngest of five children born to Helen and Phil Woods. Early days involved attending Catholic church and school, participating as a boy scout, and playing outside with his brother Steve. Defying standard tracks, Tom demanded to attend public high school for his senior year before earning a Bachelor of Science in forestry from the University of Massachusetts – Amherst, where he memorized Latin tree names that he later shared on family hikes.
An adventurous spirit took Tom west when he volunteered to chaperone his Aunt Jean, a Maryknoll nun. Traveling via Greyhound bus to San Francisco and flying onward to Hawaii, Tom eventually settled in Portland, Oregon. There, he secured seasonal work at the U.S. Forest Service Pacific Northwest research station, spending years on field crews doing forest inventory across California, Washington, and Oregon.
Tom Worked in Resource Management and Raised a Daughter
Tom’s career evolved through several resource management roles. He worked as a timber cruiser for Atterbury Consultants, a forest planning analyst for The Campbell Group, and a timber tax appraiser with the State of Oregon Department of Revenue in Salem. He later accepted a management position with the Oregon Department of Revenue in Portland to secure more time for his family.
Tom married Joan Mullen Woods, and the couple welcomed their daughter, Moya, in 1999. He embraced fatherhood, watching woodworking shows with Moya and celebrating her milestones. Beyond his career and family life, Tom maintained an active connection to the outdoors through gardening, hiking, cycling, camping, and fishing. His travels included scuba diving in the Cayman Islands and Belize, and visiting Ireland to connect with his Irish ancestry and enjoy a pint of Guinness.
Music, Community Service, and the Fight Against PSP
Music accompanied much of Tom’s life. He sang with a Catholic boy choir and the Satori Men’s Chorus, frequently breaking into spontaneous song around the house with improvised lyrics. A dedicated supporter of the Boston Red Sox, Tom celebrated the team breaking its championship drought in 2004, and later formed an unexpected friendship with a New York Yankees fan.
Tom volunteered extensively with Meals on Wheels, local food pantries, Friends of Trees, the Concordia Neighborhood Association, and Habitat for Humanity. He maintained a wicked sense of humor and an irreverent streak inherited from his three older brothers. That humor sustained him as he lived for many years with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.
Celebration of Life and Memorial Contributions
A celebration of Tom Woods’ life is scheduled for the afternoon of Sunday, November 15, with specific details forthcoming. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial donations be directed to the Satori Men’s Chorus or CurePSP.