The time of day chosen for the ceremony was fitting as Bob Wood did some of his life's best work while holding court in the morning.
Wood, the Member of Parliament for Nipissing from 1988–2004, was instrumental in saving CFB North Bay from moving operations out of town in the late 1990s. He was presented with a City of North Bay street sign from Coun. Chris Mayne reading "Bob Wood Drive."
"Having a street named after me is such an incredible honour and I know is something that will live on after I'm gone," said Wood. "I hope, in the near and distant future, family and friends will look at the sign and smile and know how much this great city and its people have meant to me."
Appropriately, it will replace the former Airport Way, located in close proximity to the base he helped save and now officially renamed after Wood in recognition of his contributions to our community as MP, municipal politician, and beloved morning radio host.
Mayor Al McDonald hosted the event and thanked Mayne for his work on the project as the driving force and liaison between the airport board and council. McDonald, then president of the chamber of commerce, recalled Wood's tenacity with the base situation.
"You worked with everyone, regardless of the party and I think that makes our city really special. It doesn't matter what political stripes we are, everyone works together in the best interests of our city," said the Mayor.
Various dignitaries, Wood associates and friends — with most ticking more than one of those boxes — gathered virtually for the dedication ceremony and Wood's charm and wit were on full display.
"To say that I'm honoured and humbled by the recognition is a huge understatement," Wood said in thanking his online audience for the honour.
Nipissing—Timiskaming MP Anthony Rota observed another Wood tie-in with the renaming.
"'Bob Wood Drive.' What an excellent and fitting expression. Bob Wood had drive — and he continues to have a certain drive that keeps him going and keeps a lot of us going when we see him and we saw that drive when it came to standing up for the airport and the base because he knew how important they were to the people of North Bay and Nipissing."
He added, Wood "has an ability to relate to people. As a human being, that's one of the traits I like most about Bob."
"When I was told of the honour, I'm sure I cried for a week. Then, my next thought was, 'Aren't these types of honours reserved for someone who has already passed on?'" Wood said with a chuckle. "I did a quick check to see what side of the sod I was on."
Now in retirement and living with Alzheimer's, Wood, 80, was still getting out for coffee with his pals pre-pandemic. Bob and his wife, Carol, have embraced his diagnosis, devoting their time and energy as advocates for Alzheimer's awareness.
"I'm incredibly proud of Bob. He continues to set such a great example and such a high standard," Carol shared.
When it came to the CFB negotiations, "we all knew Woody would get his way and today we see that enshrined," said MPP Vic Fedeli.
Former Premier Mike Harris and mutual friend Michael Brophy, along with Mayne and the Jack Garland Airport board, played a large role in bringing the idea of honouring Wood to the City's attention.
"I have no doubt, without Bob Wood, that air base was headed to Manitoba. This is absolutely the appropriate way to remember you," said Harris.
