Fr Bernard Wood RIP Obituary and Funeral Arrangements
Wednesday 30th April 2025We are very sorry to share the sad news that Father Bernard Wood died peacefully on the evening of Friday 4th April at Manchester Royal Infirmary. Fr Wood was in his ninety third year, the sixty ninth year of his Sacred Priesthood. May he rest in peace.
Bernard was born on 20th September 1932 in Accrington and baptised at Sacred Heart church, Accrington. He was educated at St Oswald’s and St Mary’s Elementary schools, both in Blackburn and then St Bede’s College, Manchester.
Bernard was accepted as an Ecclesiastical student for the Diocese of Salford on 27th July 1949, remaining at St Bede’s College as a boarder. In September 1950, he transferred to Saint Sulpice, Paris.
Father Bernard Wood was ordained to the Priesthood on 22nd July 1956 at St Peter’s Church Mill Hill, Blackburn.
Having completed a Post-Graduate course at Maynooth College September 1956 – September 1957, Fr Wood served the Diocese of Salford in the following appointments:
1957-1957: Christ the King, Newton Heath (supply)
1957-1958: St. James, Pendleton as Assistant Priest
1958-1960: Corpus Christi, Hollinwood as Assistant Priest
1960-1961: Our Lady of Grace, Prestwich as Assistant Priest
1961-1965: St. Michael’s, Ancoats as Assistant Priest
1965-1967: St. Boniface, Lower Broughton as Assistant Priest
1967-1968: Salford Cathedral as Assistant Priest
1968-1970: St. Willibrord’s, Clayton as Assistant Priest
1970-1970: St. Gabriel’s, Castleton as Assistant Priest
1970-1971: St. Malachy’s, Collyhurst as Assistant Priest
1971-1974: Immaculate Conception Haslingden as Assistant Priest
1974-1978: Holy Family, New Springs as Parish Priest
1978-1979: St. Patrick’s, Oldham as Assistant Priest
1979-1979: St. Peter’s, Middleton July-November as Assistant Priest
1979-1980: St. Christopher’s, Ashton-under-Lyne as Parish Priest
Fr Bernard retired due to ill health in May 1980. He later travelled and spent some time away from the Diocese but remained in contact and became resident at Little Sisters of the Poor, Longsight in June 2021.
Fr Wood’s body will be received into Little Sisters of the Poor Care Home, Longsight for concelebrated Mass at 5.00pm on Thursday 8th May.
Bishop John will celebrate the Requiem Mass at Little Sisters on Friday 9th May at 12:00noon followed by committal at St Mary’s Cemetery, Wardley. If you wish to concelebrate at either Mass, please bring with you an alb and white stole.
