RODNEY (ROD) EUGENE MOODY, SR.
3/17/46 – 10/27/19
PORTER- Rodney "Rod" E. Moody Sr., 73, of Porter, passed away on October 27, 2019 in Scarborough at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House. He was diagnosed with incurable melanoma cancer in March 2018.
He was the oldest son of Aldo Edward and Frances (Day) Moody.
He lived all his life in the Porter- Parsonsfield area.
He worked at the Kezar Falls Woolen Co. as soon as he was old enough. He was given the chance to work in the ‘dyeing lab’ learning the ins and outs of dyeing woolen goods. When the mill closed, he was immediately hired by Brooks Woolen in Sanford. After 2 years he was promoted to ‘Boss of Stock Dyeing’. In the early ‘80’s he rose to Superintendent of Dyeing designing women’s clothing. He spent many years at this job, until he was disabled by a race car accident at Beech Ridge in 1991.
He was in the Kezar Falls Fire Dept. for about 25 years, 10 years as treasurer of the fire dept. When the Sacopee Valley Rescue was formed, he was right in the middle of it. He was very interested in helping people and learning to become an EMT. He was one of the first two members to be licensed to administer IV’s and to intubate patients. He was proud to be the Training Officer for about 10 years (getting High School Students involved) and Chief for the last 4 years.
Rod also worked hard to become a part-time Oxford County Deputy Sheriff. He enjoyed working with one of his best friends, Frank Ontengco for about 17 years. The last few years he was deputized in York County, also.
Rod loved stock car racing, building, driving and watching; NASCAR, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, gardening and working on his hobbies and projects in and out of his garage, always organizing. When he was well enough, Rod loved to travel.
In his own words: His greatest joy of his adult life was “my wife of 56 years, Faith; helping people, making them smile and laugh.
Rod was predeceased by his parents, two brothers, Allen and David, two sons, Rodney, Jr. and Russell.
He leaves behind his wife of 56 years, Faith (Chapman) Moody of Porter, his two daughters: Jeanna (Moody) Libby of Porter, and Joy (Moody) Martineau of Parsonsfield. Six grandchildren: Amber (Moody) Donahue, Alissa (Moody) Wetzelaer, Jessica Libby, Kyle, Eric and Brandon Martineau. Two great-grandchildren: Rylee Donahue, Paxton Wetzelaer, and two great-grandbabies on the way. Surviving also is a sister, Shirley Ann (Moody) Jordan, a brother Paul Moody, several nieces and nephews and many, many cousins.
Rod was very proud of the scholarship he set up when his son Russell (Rusty) was killed on the Maine Turnpike in Gray, ME in 1991. Every year since then one or two seniors at Sacopee Valley High School have received money towards their college bills. Every time the Moody family lost a member, over the past 28 years, he has asked for donations for the scholarship, to keep it going. As one of his last wishes, he is asking again. The name of the scholarship has been changed to ‘The Moody Family Scholarship’.
S.A.D. #55, c/o Supt. Of Schools; 137 South Hiram Road; Hiram, ME 04041. Thank you for your donations.
A visitation for friends and family will be held on Friday, November 8th from 5 to 7 pm, at the Poitras, Neal & York Funeral Home, 71 Maple St., Cornish, Maine. Online condolence messages can be submitted at the funeral home website, www.mainefuneral.com