User:Deacontimwoods/sandbox

Joseph Milton Woods (June 8, 1920-October 8, 2012), was a husband, father, musician, educator, and Army AirCorps veteran in the United States. He was born to Bertha (Becker) and Harry Woods  in Huntington, Indiana, and lived at 437 German Street.

His parents, and especially his mother, were devout Roman Catholics. His upbringing in this faith was to play a major part throughout his life.

He attended Huntington Catholic School and High School, playing basketball and forming his own small band. He took piano lessons first from his mother, and then from his Aunt Hildagarde Becker at the famous Becker House, what is now 1034 Oak Street in Huntington. He also studied violin and picked up the trombone in college.

In 1938, he began attending Huntington College, a school run by the Church of the Brethren. In 1940, he transferred to Manchestrer College in order to pursue a BS in Music Education.

In 1942, he received his College diploma and his draft notice in the same day's mail. Woods joined the Army Aircorps and served until December 20, 1945. He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant and played in and directed an Army Band.

On August 26, 1946, Joseph married Betty Z. Gallagher of North Carolina. They were married at Sts. Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church in Huntington, Indiana. They first lived on Taylor Street in Fort Wayne, Indiana. They also lived at 3221 Broadway , 516 Putnum and finally 5319 Northcrest Dr., all in Fort Wayne.

He composed a setting of the Ave Maria for his wedding.

He and Betty had eight children.

In September of 1946, Joseph began teaching at Central Catholic High School in Fort Wayne. He eventually became the Music Director at this school until it closed in 1972.

Around 1946 he also began working as the Music director at Precious Blood Catholic Church in Fort Wayne. Later, he also served Queen of Angels parish, and St. Vincent de Paul Parish, where he was music director from 1957-1980.

Also in 1946, Igor Bruketoff, the Director of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic at that time, came to Joseph's office at Central Catholic High School and asked Joseph to play viola in the Philharmonic. Woods played in the orchestra for about three years.

Around this time, Joseph joined the Downtown Optimists Club of Fort Wayne. He was very faithful to this club, helping them to serve and raise money for the youth of Fort Wayne. He served as President of the club for a number of terms.

In 1956, Joseph began the Fort Wayne Summer Symphony, which gave free concerts at the Foellinger Outdoor Theater, during the Sumer months. These were Trust Fund Concert, paid for by record sales throughout the recording industry, and in conjucntion with the Musicians Union local 58 of Fort Wayne. He conducted this ensemble until 1992.

In 1972, Central Catholic High School was closing. The marching band, under the direction of Joseph Woods, was invited to compete in the 1972 Summer Olympic Marching band contest in Munich, Germany. They went, competed, and won second place (it should be noted that the band that won first place went overtime, but they were not penalized for this).

Also in 1972, because Central Catholic had closed, he became Band Director at Bishop Dwenger High in Fort Wayne. Later, he also became Dean of men, and later, Asistant Principal.

In 1978, Woods completed his EDS degree at Ball State University in Muncie IN. This licensed him to be a Superintendent of Schools, a position he never held.

In 1986, Woods retired from teaching and administration. He finished his Real Estate Broker's license and began selling homes for Oak-Hill Realty in Fort Wayne.

In addition to his Ave Maria, Joseph Woods composed the alma Mater for Bishop Dwenger High School, and a Thanksgiving Song. He always wanted to compose a Christmas Carol, but was never successful.

Joseph became seriously ill in the late summer and early fall of 2012. As the story goes, nurses would often ask him what year it was to test his sense of comprehension. He would always answer "1492", out of irritation of the question. Joseph Woods passed away at a Hospice Center in Fort Wayne on October 8, 2012. It was Columbus Day that year.

Joseph is buried at the Catholic Cemetary in Fort Wayne.