Thomas H. “Woody” Woodruff was relieved from his struggle with Alzheimer’s disease and reunited with his memories on July 21, 2023 at age 72. Born in LeRoy, New York to the late Keith and Margaret (Bradley) Woodruff, as the youngest child with something to prove and grit to spare, Tom was a stand-out in football and the most feared hitter on the baseball field at LeRoy Central. He went on to earn a degree from Hobart College and terrorize opponents as their defensive tackle. While diligently studying at Hobart, he made his greatest commitment to his wife of over 52 years, Susan (MacPherson) Woodruff of Batavia and expanded their family with the addition of their pride and joy, Bryan. Both are equally responsible for his hair greying prematurely.
He went on to receive his Masters in Secondary Education from St. Bonaventure in 1975. A history buff, Tom began his career as a social studies teacher with Olean City School District and Morrisville Eaton Central, then transferred to Oakfield-Alabama, where he spent twenty years between teaching, heading up the social studies department and imparting his sense of fairness as Dean of Students. Tom left a lasting legacy at OA with the creation of innovative programs for students in social studies. His final eight years prior to retirement were spent as Principal of Cal-Mum High School where he imprinted himself as an exceptional leader among his administrative colleagues within Genesee Valley BOCES.
More often than not, his lessons were most memorably received on a playing field than in the classroom, where he was known as “Coach” to countless players while doing his best to make each a worth adversary. Balanced in temperament and so much bigger of a man than his stature portrayed, Coach Woodruff poured himself into each and every one of his roles as Olean varsity football assistant and wrestling coach; Morrisville’s athletic director, head football coach, and assistant baseball coach; as assistant football coach and offensive coordinator at SUNY Brockport for 11 years; as Oakfield-Alabama’s head football and JV baseball coach; and as assistant football coach with Batavia City Schools, Rush Henrietta, Williamsville South and Notre Dame. While his favorite school colors may have evolved from time to time, his loyalties and long-lasting friendships remained, and he relished visiting his old haunts to check in on those he knowingly or unknowingly mentored along the way.
The pride Tom felt as father, teacher, and coach took on a new level seeing his two grandchildren Marguerite and George Woodruff of Batavia grow and excel as exceptional student athletes in their own regard. In addition to his beloved grandchildren and wife, his memory will live on through his daughter-in-law Gail Tenney, siblings Joan (Archie) Cappotelli, Robert Woodruff, James (Bonnie) Woodruff, and brother-in-law William (Denise) MacPherson, as well as many adored cousins, nieces and nephews and life-long friends. In death, Tom is reunited with his beloved son, his parents, and sister-in-law Sharon Woodruff.
The phone calls, messages, and visits Tom received from family, friends, colleagues, and former students during the final stages of his life were no doubt a great source of peace and comfort to him.
All are invited to call on Monday, July 31, 2023 from 4-8 pm at Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main Street, Batavia, New York 14020. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00am Tuesday, August 1st at Ascension Parish 19 Sumner St. in Batavia.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the LeRoy Oatka Knights Sports Hall of Fame at PO Box 100, LeRoy, NY 14482, or the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation, Inc., PO Box 267, Batavia, NY 14020. To leave an online message of condolence please visit www.gilmartinfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main Street, Batavia, New York 14020.
