by Pat Baker
Earlier this month, Brockport Rotary finally was able to honor its 50-year Rotary member, Eugene (Gene) Wood, by planting a tree with an accompanying memorial stone on the east side of Brockport’s Seymour Library. The photo shows the attendees and tree purchased with donations made in Gene’s memory. Remaining funds were sent to Rotary International in his name. Rotarian Doug Clare noted the tree was provided at cost by Sara’s Farm Market; planting and maintenance donated by Aaron Frisch Landscaping. Most members spoke of his long club and many community contributions and how the tree placement nearer to East Avenue allows those coming to and leaving Brockport to think of Gene and to honor his memory through acts of kindness and community service.
Gene’s wife, Delores gave a moving tribute emphasizing Rotary’s proud history of over 50 years of service to the Brockport community. She provided examples of how Rotarian projects often were family affairs, such as working for 30 years at senior citizen breakfasts, 25 years of ziti dinners, many geranium sales, and currently pie sales. Gene also presided over the induction of more new Brockport Rotarians than anyone and continually promoted membership efforts.
Like so many friends, colleagues, and family who perished during the pandemic, many burial and memorial services, like Gene’s, were postponed (he died suddenly in December 2020.) Unlike many persons in their 90s, Gene did not succumb to COVID-19. However, the pandemic cancelled plans to celebrate his 50th anniversary of Rotary membership (hence the word finally in the first sentence). A surprise celebratory dinner was scrubbed a week prior when all such events in March 2020 were cancelled. Gene’s Rotary hero, Don Alhart, both a former Rotary Area 7120 Past District Governor and 13-WHAM’s esteemed anchorman was to supply the evening’s highlight – the presentation of a Rotary International Paul Harris Honor in recognition of Gene’s long history of service to Rotary. When later informed of the plans, the always humble Gene could scarcely believe all that was planned for him.
Gene personified the dedicated Rotarian: he often was called “Mr. Brockport Rotary” in recent years. People just don’t belong to any service club for 50 years without a sense of loyalty and strong dedication to the tenets of the organization. Gene was invested in Rotary: he worked every project, attended every event, and supported Rotary until the very end. He was very proud of the organization’s many accomplishments – at every level. Being the first member inducted after the local club’s 1969 chartering and an early club president meant he became the heart of the club and its dedicated historian, a role he loved. He knew it all, from the popular 1970s Oktoberfests, to the ill-fated snowmobile races (with no snow), and Brockport’s part in the creation of the Camp Haccamo camping experience for children and young adults with special needs, just to name a few.
Those with time to give might want to consider joining Rotary or another community service club. New members are needed to help fill the void left by the likes of Gene Wood.
