Wendell Arthur Barwood, 86, died peacefully at home on Wednesday, January 19, 2011 from bladder cancer He was born January 14, 1925, Hanover, NH to Carroll Merton Barwood and Hazel Emily Goodrich. He married Judeen Cameron in White River Junction on March 17, 1961, and they would have celebrated fifty years of marriage this year.

He attended Norwich Elementary School, graduated from Hanover, NH High School 1943 and worked as a bell hop at the Hanover Inn a year before entering the University of Vermont. He later worked at the Strafford Copper Mine, returned to UVM and graduated in 1949.

Following graduation Wendell worked for the Mutual of New York Insurance Company. He purchased Drown & LeBourveau Insurance Co in White River Junction in 1960 and later Watson & West Insurance Co, changing the name to Barwood Insurance Agency. He served as President of the Vermont Association of Insurance Agents and the New England Agents Association Advisory Board. He was a Director of the Burlington Mutual Insurance Company. He retired in 1989 and enjoyed farming at his home in White River Junction. Mr. Barwood was proud of 25 years perfect attendance in the White River Rotary Club, served as President and was a Paul Harris Fellow. He was a life member of the Hartford, Vermont Elks Club.

He was an avid ice hockey player, playing varsity ice hockey at Hanover High School and later at the University of Vermont. He became a NIHOA registered ice hockey official refereeing high school, prep school and college games and was manager/player of the Hanover Storm Kings in the 1950's. He coached youth hockey in both the Hanover Youth program and the Hartford Youth program. He was an initial supporter and the principal fund-raiser for the BOR arena in White River Junction and continued a fund-raising program until his death. The arena was renamed the Wendell A. Barwood Arena in his honor in 2009.

Mr. Barwood was also an avid golfer and was a past member of the Hanover Country Club, Woodstock Country Club, Quechee Lakes Country Club, the SaddleBrooke Country Club of Tucson, Arizona and was a member of the Vermont Senior Golf Association. In his youth he worked as a caddy at the Hanover Country Club. He served on the Quechee Lakes Golf Committee and was chairman for eight years. He was a member of the Hartford, Vermont, Recreation Department Board serving as chairman for six years. He was as huge fan of the Boston Red Sox, Bruins, Celtics and New England Patriots and missed few televised games

Wendell is survived by his wife, Judy, and his three children: Jonathan C. Barwood and his wife Amanda of Phoenix & Payson, Arizona; his son Justin C. Barwood and his wife Rebecca and their children Morgan, Joseph and Madison Barwood; his daughter, Sarah Barwood Hoover and husband Neal of Louisville, Kentucky and their children Colby, Avery and Griffen Hoover; his sister Leola Barwood Bates of Springfield, Vermont and her husband Keith Bates; sisters-in-law Jill Devins and Cindy Cameron as well as several nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be held Sunday, January 23, 2011, 1-5 pm at the Knight Funeral Home, 903 Hartford Avenue, White River Junction. A memorial service will be held Monday January 24, 11 am at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 749 Hartford Avenue, White River Junction.

Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the Friends of the Hartford Municipal Arena, Inc. (known as the Wendell A. Barwood Arena) c/o Justin C. Barwood, 1440 Christian Street, White River Junction, Vermont, 05001.