Brian Atwood ... enjoyed growing vegetables; at 60

ROCHESTER - Brian J. Atwood, 60, of Rochester, died at his home surrounded by family on Friday, Feb. 18, 2022 following a brief, but courageous battle with cancer.

He was born on April 3, 1961, in Rochester, and grew up in the neighboring town of Barrington. He graduated from Spaulding High School in 1979.

Brian is predeceased by his loving parents, Robert and Mary (Pooler) Atwood, and oldest brother, Robert Atwood Jr. He is survived by his adoring wife of 40 years, Terri (Ford) Atwood; his sons and their spouses: Bradford and Carissa Atwood, Jonathan Atwood and Ryan Tirrell, and Christopher and Lauren Atwood; his grandchildren: Cameron Atwood and Ophelia Atwood-Tirrell; his siblings and their spouses: Margaret and Gilbert McCarthy, Elizabeth Stone, and William and Pamela Atwood; his in-laws: Carol Ford and Robert Ryder, and Malcolm and Heidi Ford; his brother- and sisters- in-law: Malcolm Jr. and Julie Ford, and Kathy Ford; 11 nieces and nephews; and 10 great-nieces and nephews.

Brian was a true family man with old-fashioned values and a fun-loving sense of humor. He was an adoring husband and devoted father; helping each of his children to obtain their first family homes. He was hard-working and humble with an entrepreneurial spirit, starting his first business, Acme Rug, as a teenager, which he later sold to a close family friend. After learning the craft of carpentry from his father-in-law, Brian started his own construction company, Atwood Carpentry, which he ran for 30 years.

He was a talented hockey player and avid sports fan; often found watching New England sports games or NASCAR in his "mancave" workshop. He was a dedicated hockey coach for 16 years; making a lasting impact on countless young lives. He was selfless and generous; always willing to lend a helping hand.

Brian enjoyed the simple things in life: going to dinner, watching a movie, and walking on the beach with his "bride", Terri, as he fondly called her; tending to his vegetable gardens; playing yard games and beach bocce with his boys; feeding the deer and tractor rides with his grandchildren; going on vacations, and spending summer afternoons grilling by the pool, with his family.

To know Brian was to know a friend; to know honor and integrity. He was a straight-shooter, authentic and genuine; true to himself in all aspects of life. May his light continue to shine through the lives of those he touched so deeply.