VOORHEESVILLE — Orville E. Wood, a lifelong caregiver who loved music, died on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015, at Albany Medical Center. He was 89.

“Dad took great joy when his grandchildren visited, often playing guitar or piano with them — toe-tapping music he so loved,” his family wrote in a tribute.

Mr. Wood was born in Middleburgh. He lived in Voorheesville for 62 years.

“My dad loved living in Voorheesville,” said his daughter, Donna Susi. “He liked the small-town feel, the location, the neighbors — everything.”

Mr. Wood worked as an orderly at Albany Medical Center for 37 years. He also worked as a heavy-equipment operator for Ken Tice and Tony Genovesi for 35 years.

He attended the Voorheesville First Methodist Church for years off and on, depending on his work schedule, and, later, attended Grace Baptist Church with his family.

“He took care of my mom, lovingly, in the home, 24/7,” Mrs. Susi said. Mrs. Wood died in 2008.

“We always seemed to carry on between the both of us, do for each other,” Mr. Wood said when his wife died. “I can’t think of anything in her life that she didn’t enjoy.”

Mr. Wood’s two sons died before him, at the ages of 55 and 37, with one dying this year.

“It was tough on my dad to see both his sons and my mom pass away,” Mrs. Susi said. “Dad’s heart just broke and gave out. He was very, very dedicated to his family. He sacrificed everything for his children and for Mom. Happily, he did so.

“He took great pride in providing for his family,” she continued.

“He had a great sense of humor,” she said. “My dad was always smiling.”

For the last 12 years, Mrs. Susi spent several days each week helping at the Wood residence, first with her brothers and her mother, then later with Mr. Wood.

“It doesn’t seem like work when it’s family. You just do it,” she said. “We had a lot of fun.”

The family went often to visit Mr. Wood’s siblings at their old homestead in Middleburgh, Mrs. Susi said.

“Eighty-nine years — there’s a lot of living there,” Mrs. Susi said. One of his siblings, she said, will celebrate her 93rd birthday this week in her own home.

Mr. Wood and his family enjoyed their time together, Mrs. Susi said.

“We always went out to eat,” she said. “Dad loved to go out to have lunch.”

“His passing leaves a void, but he is now reunited with the Lord and his loved ones,” his family wrote. “We will joyously remember his kind ways; warm, sincere smiles; love; and devotion to us all. It’s under God’s grace we live every precious moment, and we give thanks to Him every day.”

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Orville E. Wood is survived by survived by his daughter, Bonnie Lynn Buddenhagen, and her husband, David, of Glenville; his daughter, Donna L. Susi, and her husband, Frank, of Saratoga Springs; his siblings, Virginia Durie, Thomas Wood, Janet Tinkler, and David L. Wood; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.

His wife, Ingrid Patschureck Wood, died before him, as did his sons, William C. and John A. Wood, and one grandchild.

A service of prayer and remembrance was held on Oct. 13, 2015, at the Reilly & Son Funeral Home in Voorheesville.

Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of choice.

— Jo E. Prout